Manchester City and Chelsea both tried to sign Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister this summer.

Mac Allister became the Reds first signing of the transfer window, back in June, joining in a handsome looking deal from Brighton.

The 24-year-old had reportedly been Jurgen Klopp’s top target having missed out on Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid. But according to the Liverpool ECHO, it wasn’t necessarily a straight-forward deal to get over the line.

They claim that both City and Chelsea needed to be ‘fended off’ by outgoing sporting director Julian Ward.

Ward is described as being ‘instrumental’ in making sure that Mac Allister ended up at Anfield, and not the Etihad or Stamford Bridge. Klopp is another said to have been ‘influential’ in persuading the World Cup winner that his future lay in red, not blue.

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Ward delivers parting gift

As far as parting gifts go, Ward’s one of Mac Allister to Liverpool looks like being a pretty good one.

The former Brighton man has so far had to play a slightly unfamiliar holding midfield role, but is growing game by game as he settles into life at a top club.

And according to his father Carlos – speaking to the ECHO – Liverpool was the only choice he wanted for his son this summer.

“The reason why Alexis went to Liverpool is because they showed so much interest in having him on their team,” says Mac Allister senior.

“They showed a desire to count on him and we wanted Alexis to go to a team where he could be settled for the start of pre-season; move on the first day of the transfer window – all that stuff.

“This was so important because we wanted him to have a good preparation with the team he decided to sign with.”

It’s clear that Mac Allister and his family were completely sold on Liverpool. With a good head on his shoulders and a real desire to be at the club, we can see Alexis being at Anfield for a very long time to come. Read it and weep, Pep!