Man City boss Pep Guardiola spotted in conversation with Liverpool target Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool target Alexis Mac Allister was spotted in conversation with Pep Guardiola after Brighton's 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Wednesday.

The result sealed Europa League football for Mac Allister's Brighton side, who are guaranteed to finish in sixth place in the Premier League - the highest finishing position in the club's history.

Phil Foden put champions City ahead on 25 minutes, before Kaoru Mitoma had an equaliser ruled out for handball.

But Brighton would level the scores before half time, Julio Enciso scoring his second goal in four games to restore parity for Roberto De Zerbi's side.

The Seagulls will be joined in next season's Europa League by Liverpool, if Manchester United secure a point in Thursday's clash against Chelsea.

The Reds are among the leading contenders to sign Mac Allister, with Fabrizio Romano reporting in his Substack that an agreement over personal terms between club and player is 'really close'.

Despite this, various outlets claimed on Monday that City are interested in signing the Argentinian, a World Cup winner, this summer.

Mac Allister and Guardiola in conversation

After the 1-1 draw between Brighton and City, Guardiola walked on to the pitch and approached Mac Allister to congratulate him on helping his side to qualify for the Europa League, before putting his arm around the midfielder and embracing him.

The Spaniard then held a brief conversation with Mac Allister, before patting him on the chin and walking away.

What was said is unclear, but City's reported interest in the midfielder could lead to the club launching a move - and Guardiola had the chance to watch him in person during his 39-minute substitute appearance.

Mac Allister took a good long stroll around the Amex there. He’s off but where…that’s the question.

Pep hugged him a bit too tight 😡pic.twitter.com/jdgaxlE1dQ

— Watch LFC (@Watch_LFC) May 24, 2023

It is worth remembering, meanwhile, that Guardiola has embraced other players on the pitch before, although that hasn't led to a transfer.

In 2017, he had a passionate exchange of words with Southampton forward Nathan Redmond, with the England midfielder stating in an interview with Sky Sports that the Spaniard had praised his qualities as a player.

Redmond won the club's Players' Player of the Year for the 2018/19 season, but a move to City never happened. The 28-year-old now plays for Turkish Super Lig giants Besiktas.