Alexis Mac Allister has emerged as Liverpool’s most important midfielder after his summer move from Albion.

That is the verdict from the man who blazed the same trail four decades ago and went on to become a Football League and European Cup winner with the Reds.

Mark Lawrenson says the Argentina international has been “fab” since his transfer from the Seagulls.

Mac Allister will be on a flight back from Los Angeles today, as will Albion duo Valentin Barco and Facundo Buonanotte, after Argentina played Costa Rica in a friendly last night.

The Liverpool man scored and played for an hour while his Albion counterparts remained on the bench.

They will all meet up again on Premier League business at Anfield on Sunday.

Lawrenson moved from Albion to Liverpool in 1981 and keeps an eye on both clubs – especially the Reds.

He said: “Mac Allister has grown into his position.

“I don’t think it is one where he (Jurgen Klopp) wanted to play him but, due to lack of players at the start of the season, he is there and actually you don’t worry about him.

“He has been fab. He has got a fantastic attitude.

“He doesn’t waste the ball and, as you have seen, he has started to get involved in more goals.

“He has done great and, if you need someone to put a foot in, he is the man.

“Szoboszlai got a lot of the plaudits when he came in because he was brilliant but then he was in and out and was injured.

“Probably at the moment Mac Allister is the most important midfield player Liverpool have got.”

Albion’s internationals will be arriving back at Lancing over the next couple of days with Julio Enciso making an early return after Paraguay’s game with Russia in Moscow was cancelled due to the terror attack in the city.