Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has become a standout performer in the Premier League, impressing fans and pundits with his intelligence, creativity, and versatility in midfield.
Mac Allister signed with Brighton in 2019 but spent his early years on loan at Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, where he lifted the 2019–20 Primera División. On returning to England, he flourished under Roberto De Zerbi, starring in the Premier League and Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph before sealing a £35 million move to Liverpool after four seasons at the AMEX Stadium.
Yet, as he builds his own legacy at Anfield, the World Cup winner admits there is one footballer from the past whose presence on the pitch he would have cherished.
In a quick-fire interview with GOAL, Mac Allister was asked which retired player he would have most liked to play alongside and he answered without hesitation.
“Thierry Henry”
Henry’s name is synonymous with Premier League greatness. Arriving at Arsenal in 1999 under Arsène Wenger, he transformed the club’s attack almost instantly.
With his blend of elegance, speed, and power, Henry could glide past defenders as effortlessly as he could unleash a thunderous strike on goal. His style combined artistry with ruthlessness — a rare combination that left fans and opponents alike in awe.
During his eight years at Arsenal, the French superstar won four Premier League Golden Boots and collected a string of domestic honours, including two league titles and two FA Cups. His crowning achievement came during the 2003–04 season when he led Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ to an unbeaten league campaign — an achievement that remains unmatched in English football to this day.
The former Arsenal forward’s individual brilliance was recognised with numerous awards, and his name became a byword for attacking excellence. Today, a statue outside the Emirates Stadium immortalises his contribution to the club and the Premier League.
By the time he retired in 2014, Henry had amassed over 400 career goals, a World Cup, a European Championship, and an enduring legacy as one of football’s all-time greats.
For Mac Allister, the chance to link up with Thierry Henry would have been an unparalleled learning experience to witness first-hand the skill, pace, and footballing intelligence that made Henry one of the greatest forwards of his generation. Henry represents more than just a great player, he embodies an era of football that inspired the next generation.
By the time Henry retired in 2014, Mac Allister was just beginning to make his mark in Argentina. Today, Mac Allister stands out in one of the world’s most competitive leagues, wearing the famous red of Liverpool, contributing to both domestic and European campaigns, and embodying the qualities that defined Henry’s era vision, creativity, and composure under pressure.
Under Arne Slot, Mac Allister has become a key component of Liverpool’s midfield, providing balance, clever movement, and the ability to unlock defences. While he has carved his own identity, the influence of players like Henry is clear.
The admiration he holds for the Frenchman underlines the way the legends of the past continue to inspire today’s stars, shaping their approach to the game both on and off the pitch.
