Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister admits Klopp played him out of position

Alexis Mac Allister has spoken about the criticism he received at the beginning of his Liverpool career, admitting he was played out of position by Jurgen Klopp due to a lack of alternatives in the defensive midfield role.

Speaking on the YouTube channel Clank about the ex-Liverpool manager, he said: “I admit I have a great relationship with him.

“We talked a lot, we exchanged opinions, and well, I was grateful. Grateful because he gave me the opportunity to play for one of the best clubs in the world, because he opened the doors for me and from the first minute I always loved him.”

The 25-year-old then spoke about his first games at the club when he had to play in a deeper midfield role.

He said: “He [Klopp] defended me and helped me, I even remember in the first games that he had to put me on as a '5' [defensive midfielder] because there were no others. I received criticism and he always came out to defend me.

“I only have words of gratitude with him and a great relationship, I hope he is enjoying his life a lot.

“I see him just when I go to Twitter and Jurgen appears quite a bit. He has Instagram. He's going to many events, tennis matches and everything so he moves around a lot.

“I notice that he is enjoying his life and it makes me happy because he deserves it, he worked a long time and deserves a rest.”

MAC ALLISTER HAS SPOKEN WITH ARNE SLOT

The former Brighton man only had one season with Klopp and he is yet to join up with Liverpool’s new head coach Arne Slot due to Copa America duty.

However, he has revealed that the pair have spoken, as well as the fact that he has got to know about him from international teammates who played under the Dutchman.

“I have had talks with him during the Copa America and we talked a little about the club, about what I saw and so on and it shows that he is a very technical person.

“In training, they have spoken to me very well, I have spoken with Marcos Senesi who had him in Feyenoord and he spoke to me very well," said Mac Allister.

The World Cup winner is expecting big things from himself and his Liverpool teammates this season.

When speaking about life after Klopp, he said: “So I think there is a lot of optimism about what this is going to be like this season in Liverpool.

“Beyond the fact that a great figure like Jurgen left, we have a great group and we believe that the coach who arrived can help us a lot to achieve things.”