By David Lynch, Merseyside Correspondent

10th Jun, 2023 | 1:30pm

Lynch: Liverpool have just completed 'remarkable' signing after Chelsea hijack Mac Allister

Liverpool saw off a late hijack from free-spending Chelsea to complete the signing of Alexis Mac Allister, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed the Blues put up the strongest competition in the race to land the World Cup winner, which reached a conclusion when his capture was announced on Thursday (8 June).

Liverpool paid Brighton an initial fee of just £35million for Mac Allister after activating the release clause in his Seagulls contract – a remarkable steal considering his pedigree as a fully-fledged Argentina international.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the feeling inside the Reds camp is that the club’s recruitment staff have sealed a “coup”.

Chelsea pushed late on to steal Mac Allister out from under Liverpool’s noses – but the 24-year-old had already bought into the project at Anfield and made a decision on his future.

It is believed the draw of working under Jurgen Klopp also played a big part in the midfielder’s arrival.

Football Insider revealed last month (31 May) that Mac Allister will land a triple-your-money deal as a result of his move to Liverpool – netting him around £150,000-a-week.

The World Cup winner bids farewell to Brighton after four successful years at the club – which culminated in their first-ever European qualification at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

He notched 12 goals and three assists across 40 games in all competitions in a historic season for the Seagulls.

The 24-year-old earned worldwide recognition when he grabbed a goal and an assist across six games for Argentina in Qatar as they recorded a famous World Cup triumph in 2022.

Mac Allister’s signing kickstarts their well-publicised overhaul of the midfield area – with Naby Keita already signing for Werder Bremen after leaving Anfield for free.

In other news, Liverpool handed “huge” Jude Bellingham boost as deal agreed.