Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister gives verdict on Moises Caicedo snubbing Reds – Footymercato.com

Alexis Mac Allister says he wishes Moises Caicedo all the best at Chelsea – but just not when they go head-to-head at Wembley tomorrow (Sunday). The two were Brighton team-mates last season and Caicedo had the chance to follow Mac Allister to Liverpool in the summer.

But the Ecuadorian opted to join Chelsea despite Liverpool having a £110million bid accepted by Brighton. By that point, in mid-August, Mac Allister had already been at Anfield for two months. He signed for £35m rising up to £55m with add-ons.

The pair will brilliant together on the south coast but Caicedo joined Chelsea for £115m instead. He went on to explain: “I was talking with Chelsea for a long time. It was impossible to say no to Chelsea, because they were with me supporting me.”

The two midfielders reunited at Anfield last month when Liverpool blew the Blues away, winning 4-1 in a one-sided Premier League contest. And they will battle for supremacy at Wembley this weekend to lift the Carabao Cup.

Asked about Caicedo’s decision, World Cup winner Mac Allister said of his ex-team-mate: “It’s a personal decision, that’s what he chose and that’s completely fine. He’s an amazing player, a really good guy so I wish him all the best – but not on Sunday!”

The Argentina international added: “The World Cup helped me to realise that I really want to win more trophies, so this is a big opportunity. It’ll be my first final with Liverpool and first opportunity to win something.

“So it’s going to be something very special for me and the team. We need to go out there, do our best, play the game we want to play and try to win.”

Liverpool have been crippled by injuries with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai all fighting even just to make the bench. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones – all of whom would have played in some capacity – are out injured.

No 1 goalkeeper Alisson, who would likely have been benched in favour of League Cup shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher, is also unavailable. But captain Virgil van Dijk, who scored a crucial goal in the midweek league win over Luton Town, has warned Chelsea not to underestimate an injury-hit Liverpool.

Van Dijk said: “I think the players coming in have to step up and show they’re wrong. I think that’s the only way to do it. If they take us lightly, then that’s their problem.

“I think we have enough quality to read the opponents. Players who come in have to show that. That fear factor, we don’t have influence on that. Everyone has to step up, the ones that play have to deliver to get results.

“Younger players as well, everyone has to take responsibility. They also have to enjoy that. I think everyone wants to get the opportunity and show themselves, and they have to be confident. I’m not worried about that.

“They just have to go out there and show their qualities. I think if you play for Liverpool, you’re quite a good player already, so go out there and make everyone proud. I try to lead out the boys as good as possible, on and off the pitch, be their leader and so far, so good.”