‘I loved him from the moment we met’ – Jurgen Klopp lists the many reasons he adores ‘manager’s pet’ Alexis Mac Allister as he hails Argentine’s impact at Liverpool

The Reds boss heaped praise on the World Cup-winning midfielder star as he pointed out Mac Allister's positive impact on the team since joining last summer. He also spoke highly of his pedigree as he hails from a family of professional footballers.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Klopp said: "How can you not love a player like him, or a boy like him? He's incredible, he's educated in the best possible way, he's really polite, confident, funny, smart and an incredible footballer. Oh my God! You watch training sessions and it's like the coaches look at each other: 'Wow, what was that?'"

He added: "How he interacts with the other boys, how he took the South American outfield player department under his wings naturally without telling them what to do, but just how they came together. It's wonderful... I loved it from the first moment when we met before we signed him, or when I met his dad. The football understanding in his family is obviously second to none - dad a former professional, uncle former professional, brothers professionals, cousins professionals, so they all eat and breathe football and that's so good. Of course, I love him. I don't know where the boys get it from that he's kind of the manager's pet or favourite because I have a lot of them, but he's definitely one of them."

The 25-year-old has been a mainstay in the Liverpool lineup under Klopp since signing for them in the summer from Brighton. He has appeared in 36 games across all competitions and has scored six goals and provided seven assists.

The Merseyside club will be next seen in action on Sunday in the Premier League as they are set to face rivals Manchester United in an important league fixture.