Alexis Mac Allister has described his relationship with Jurgen Klopp as "perfect" and says his team-mates have jokingly started to refer to the Liverpool manager as the midfielder's father
The World Cup winner has settled well on Merseyside, playing his part in all five games
Mac Allister
"The relationship is obviously 10 [out of 10]. I [have] just arrived and when you first arrive everything is easier and everything goes perfect,"
"But many of my team-mates [joke] because they say he's 'my dad' already!
"The relationship with him is perfect, he is a very charismatic person, who always tries to be close to the players. It has moments of madness that you maybe see in a game and you cannot stop laughing. For me it is a pleasure to be able to work with him.
"Why is he my 'dad'? Because the last game we returned from the national team I was the only South American who played; well, Ali (Alisson Becker) also, but he hadn't played in Brazil. And Lucho (Luis Diaz) and Darwin (Nunez) went to the bench.
"Then they told me that [Klopp] is my dad, that he can't take me out [of the team], that he had played all the games and that's how they drove me crazy!
"But beyond all of the joking, the relationship is spectacular, he is a person that I respect, that I respect a lot and hopefully he continues like this and that I can continue learning from him on the pitch."
Mac Allister added
"Obviously, from Qatar I feel that everyone respects me more as a player. That happens on all of us, on all the players. When you have the title of world champion, the one that everyone wants, obviously that people respect you more, not only outside on the pitch, but inside.
"I don't really worry much about that, but I do see that people have a lot of respect for me, for my way of being.
"I've always been a player and a very respectful person with everyone and I think from the first moment I arrived at Liverpool that was something very important. That is why today I feel, with only two or three months, one more person in the group.
"It is very valuable to always respect others. The truth is that I don't think much about the outside look, I try to be the same person, I try to be who I am and respect everyone.
"[Wearing No.10] it is a pride for me. It is a very great happiness. When I was given the chance to wear the ten I did not hesitate, because it is a very important number, not only in football, but in the history of a club as big as Liverpool.
"And well, I keep working and learning to be able to represent it in the best way. I think that's the most important thing and what in the future will give me even more satisfaction."
The Reds star also talked up the similarities between Liverpool supporters and the famously raucous fans at Boca Juniors in Argentina where Mac Allister played on loan during the 2019/20 campaign.
"I think there are many similarities in terms of passion, in terms of the fans, in terms of the greatness of the club, with what Boca and Liverpool represent," he said. "So, I have no doubt that having gone through Boca helped me professionally.
"And then adapting quickly to Liverpool I feel it's because I found a huge club where you live like a family.
"I feel it's wonderful, because there are incredible personal relationships, a staff that helps you in everything and everyone has a humility that impacts.
"That's what I highlight the most and I think that's why in two or three months I've felt, or I already feel part of the group, I already feel part of the club. People have helped me tremendously, from physios to those who work in the kitchen.
"Look, the other day, I crossed [paths with] Javier Mascherano and we laughed because there is a lady who works in the kitchen, who must be about 90 years old, and she sent greetings to him.
"These are the small details that make Liverpool a family and even bigger than what is seen from the outside."
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