Alexis Mac Allister has already named Roberto De Zerbi as his best ever manager over Liverpool’s Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp. Mac Allister, 26, signed for the Reds in the summer of 2023 from Brighton, who he had joined back in 2019.

The Argentine spent one season working under Klopp at Anfield before the German called time on his legendary tenure at the end of the 2023/24 season. Slot was appointed as his successor, guiding the Reds to a dominant Premier League title victory in his maiden season, which also marked Mac Allister’s first trophy in England.

Yet the 2022 World Cup winner previously insisted it was his last manager at Brighton, De Zerbi, who stood above all others he has played for. The Italian, now at Marseille, played a key role in Mac Allister’s rise, which the midfielder clearly hasn’t forgotten.

He told Gary Lineker on The Rest is Football podcast in December 2024: “He’s a crazy guy but I love him. I think he is the best manager I’ve ever had.”

A surprised Lineker responded: “Really? You’ve got Klopp and Slot in there.” When asked what made De Zerbi so special, Mac Allister said: “It’s the passion he gives for football. That’s special. Then it’s his ideas, the tactical side is amazing.

READ MORE: Everything Jurgen Klopp said about his own Liverpool mess amid Arne Slot crisis

READ MORE: 5 telling things Jurgen Klopp has said about Arne Slot after 'criminal' Liverpool start

“He makes you feel good in the team. Since the first day I met him, he was amazing with me, that’s why I said he was the best coach.”

Mac Allister left Brighton for £55million a year before De Zerbi’s sudden exit at the end of the 2023/24 season. His third season at Anfield has been a turbulent one so far, having been booed along with his team-mates by their own supporters after losing 4-1 to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League at home.

The game marked the ninth defeat in 12 games under Slot this season, the club’s worst run of form for more than 70 years and their third straight game losing by a three-goal margin. This shocking run of form and the manner of their defeats has resulted in a situation that was unthinkable just two months ago, with Slot now under pressure to deliver results and fast.

Some question marks have been raised over the Dutchman’s future, though it has been reported he maintains the club’s backing for now.

Klopp has been floated around as one of the potential namesto succeed Slot, should he be axed. The German, who is now Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, has previously spoken about being done with football management but admitted some kind of return is “theoretically” still possible.