Feature'Of course I'll get something about LFC' – Alexis Mac Allister's tattoos explained

It’s not a bad tattoo to-do list for Alexis Mac Allister.

The Reds and Argentina midfielder has long held a passion for body art and already has a near-full left arm of ink imprints that have special meaning or significance to him.

“I like how they look on the body,” he tells Liverpoolfc.com as part of Carlsberg’s Inked series. “But of course for me they’ve got a ‘why’ and I think that’s the most important thing with tattoos.”

Mac Allister’s current tattoos cover a range of personal subjects, from family to religion and, naturally, football.

There’s a ‘98’ to represent the year of his birth, and a child with a ball under his arm walking towards a heart. “It basically means how much I love football,” he says of the latter concept.

The names of his parents and two elder brothers sit proudly among the collection, though an update to that family section is required as soon as possible.

“I’m still missing my sister but I will get it done,” Mac Allister reveals with a smile. “I know she thinks about it! So I want her to be here as well.

“Loyalty is so important and of course something I receive from my family. They are the most important people in my life.

“When you go through a good moment, everyone is there; but when you go through a bad moment, the family is always there. They are very, very important for me. Of course, they know how much I love them.”

The 25-year-old also has imagery of Jesus Christ, the dates of both his professional debut with first club Argentinos Juniors and when they were promoted to the top flight, as well as a phrase in Spanish he translates as ‘trust yourself and your people’.

There’s just one element he slightly regrets: a roulette wheel.

Chosen as a way to display shirt numbers that have been used by himself and his brothers (Francis and Kevin are also professional players) while incorporating the area around his elbow into the overall sleeve, it is often – understandably – misperceived.

“I could say I maybe regret [that] one! Because I got a roulette [wheel] and some people think that I like to gamble or like roulette, and that’s not the case of course,” says Mac Allister, who got his first tattoo in his late teens.

“As a kid I really liked how they look. And the idea is to get more. Of course, I won the World Cup [with Argentina] so it’s something that I’ve got in mind. Maybe this year I will get a big one on my back.”

The last few years of Mac Allister’s career have certainly provided him with plenty of inspiration for further artistic additions.

He was a key figure in Argentina’s aforementioned World Cup triumph in December 2022 and also instrumental in Brighton & Hove Albion securing qualification to European football for the first time ever when they finished sixth in the Premier League last season.

Liverpool swooped to sign the midfielder in the summer and Mac Allister feels a huge rapport with the club and supporters.

Sufficient to already be considering a Reds-themed tattoo, in fact.

“As I always say, for me it’s a privilege to be here,” the No.10 finishes.

“I want to get my tattoo about the World Cup first and then of course, I will get something about Liverpool, because since the first day I felt a really good connection with this club and I’m really happy to be here.

“[A trophy] would be nice! Maybe on my leg. Hopefully we can win something this year and get it done.”

Mac Allister was speaking as part of Carlsberg’s Inked series, celebrating the recent 10-year renewal of its long-term partnership with Liverpool FC.