Crossword Genius

A Liberal has greatest following? Not quite (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

almost

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'not quite' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a liberal has greatest' is the wordplay.
'liberal' becomes 'l' (abbreviation).
'has' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'greatest' becomes 'most' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a'+'l'+'most'='ALMOST'

'following?' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for almost that I've seen before include "Not entirely" , "As good as" , "Well-nigh" , "practically" , "Nearly, not quite" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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