It has long been obvious that Alexis Mac Allister was destined for greatness, but it becomes crystal plain when you watch him gliding through the middle of Liverpool’s midfield.

The new Liverpool number ten comes from a famous footballing family in Argentina; his father was a veteran of Boca Juniors, and both of his brothers have also made it big in the sport.

From his modest beginnings playing for the social sports club famous for producing Argentina legends to his name-making stint at Brighton, which earned him a place in his nation’s now-famous World Cup winning team, the latest episode of Premier League stories tells the full story of Mac Allister’s seemingly predestined journey to the very top of the game.

Mac Allister had already proven himself as one of the game’s A-listers before a high-profile transfer to Liverpool solidified his position. He won the World Cup with Lionel Messi’s team after entering the tournament as an underappreciated cog in Roberto Di Zerbi’s Brighton team’s wheel.

As the 24-year-old left the club that had been crucial to his ascent to the top levels of the sport, there were poignant moments at the Amex as he completed his transfer to Jurgen Klopp’s squad before the season ended.

Gratitude is due to them. They were very kind and supportive, and I owe a great deal of my personal and physical growth to them.

Now it’s Mac Allister’s turn to follow in Michael Owen and Sadio Mane’s footsteps and become the third Liverpool player to wear the number ten jersey. Even though it’s a scary thought for anyone, he insists on wearing the number since he feels he was born to.

“A young man clambering up the stairs to my heart, donning the number ten shirt, is tattooed on my body. There were no second thoughts when I picked that number.