Liverpool FINALLY have their Steven Gerrard replacement

Certain players etch themselves into the folklore of the club and Liverpool might have another one lying in waiting.

One such player who typified what it meant to be a Red was Steven Gerrard, who was undoubtedly the best player to play for us before Mohamed Salah arrived in 2017.

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The Egyptian's commitment to the club alongside is unwavering quality in front of goal has meant the homegrown Red has now been pipped in some people's minds as the greatest.

Nonetheless, the two players I have just mentioned fall into a special bracket of legends. When they leave, their absence is felt substantially more than if they were any other player. That's the difference maker.

Fortunately, Liverpool will not have to consider replacing Salah until 2027, now that the winger has signed a two-year extension to his current deal, which will see his spell on Merseyside cross 10 years.

But since Gerrard left in 2015, it has been really difficult to find a replacement. Jordan Henderson took on the armband, and the Scouser's leadership credentials were matched, but his overall profile was still missing from the team.

However, it now appears as though Liverpool have stumbled across a player who is the closest thing yet to the all-time great midfielder.

Alexis Mac Allister has shades of Gerrard about him

Bought for just £35m two seasons ago, it was clear that Liverpool had secured a bargain for Mac Allister in the summer of 2023. After all he was paramount to helping his country win a World Cup.

However it was difficult to really assess the Argentine's full skillset during his first season at the club because he was largely being fielded as a defensive midfielder.

Wataru Endo took on the main responsibilities, but the No. 6 role was split between the two players.

Across the 2023/24 campaign, Mac Allister impressed and fans were already getting giddy about how impressive a piece of business it was from the club to secure his services.

But this season, this have gone up a gear. He's been commanding the midfield as a No.8 alongside Ryan Gravenberch who has thrived as the team's DM and his understated performances have started to catch the attention of rival fans as well as the Anfield faithful.

His workrate is incredibly high, as you would expect for a key member of a title winning team and he has not been shy in front of goal either - seven goals and five assists in all competitions this season.

He's as complete a player as we have seen since Gerrard with his attacking and defensive prowess, and the goals he's scoring couldn't be any similar, occasionally popping in an outstanding finish into the top corner from miles away from the goal. The comparisons are writing themselves at this point.

But even if you weren't convinced by how alike they're on the pitch personalities are, you'll have to concede to how much the two players adore the club.

Every player in Slot's title-winning squad put out a social media post on Sunday once the title race was concluded, with many writing an aura-filled caption alongside some photos.

Mac Allister, however, opted for a different approach, instead choosing to pour his heart out to the fans about how much he adores player for the Reds and how much the title win means to him.

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Highlights of his Instagram post from Sunday included: "When I joined this club, I knew it was a special place. But what I've experienced this year has gone beyond anything I ever imagined.

"It took hard work, commitment, giving everything in every moment. Because wearing this shirt isn't for just anyone... and because I've dreamt of this since I was a boy."

To have a player of the quality of Mac Allister be so dedicated after just two years at the club is remarkable in all honesty. It of statement that just made you think 'yeah, he understands the privilege of being a Liverpool player.

Gerrard was the fans' representative on the pitch for 17 years and his credentials as future Liverpool captain were felt very early on. Likewise, Trent Alexander-Arnold gave off a similar vibe, although he might well be headed out the door this summer, opting for a move to Real Madrid over his boyhood club.

But it seems crystal clear that if the club can continue to deliver to make Mac Allister want to spend as much of his career with us as possible, then we have a future captain in waiting.

Let it not be dismissed, for an overseas player to make that much of an impact is incredibly special.

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