Liverpool may have a bigger Alexis Mac Allister problem than many supporters realise.
Fabrizio Romano has warned that if Liverpool do not offer the Argentine a new contract soon, the door could open for a potential departure in 2027.
And after Mac Allister publicly admitted that he is disappointed not to have been offered a new deal, this is no longer just another transfer rumour.
There is clearly something to watch here.
Mac Allister wants to stay — for now
The most important thing to remember is that Mac Allister has not said he wants to leave Liverpool.
Far from it.
The 27-year-old stayed at Anfield this summer despite having options to move elsewhere, explaining that he believes Liverpool are the right club for him and that he wants to win trophies under Andoni Iraola.
But he also admitted that being told Liverpool were not in a position to offer him a new contract made him very sad.
That should concern Liverpool.
Not because Mac Allister is demanding a transfer.
But because the club are potentially creating a situation where one of their most important midfielders could eventually decide that his future lies elsewhere.
Why is Liverpool’s decision so important?
Mac Allister still has two years remaining on his current Liverpool contract.
That gives the club time.
But it also gives Mac Allister time to think about his future.
And that is where Romano’s warning becomes particularly interesting.
If a new contract isn’t agreed over the coming months, the possibility of a 2027 exit could become increasingly realistic.
Mac Allister would then be entering the final stages of his contract, and Liverpool could face a choice:
Renew him or consider selling him before his value drops.
That is a situation Liverpool really don’t want to find themselves in.
The comparison with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch
This is perhaps the most uncomfortable part.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have both been handed new contracts.
Mac Allister hasn’t.
And Mac Allister himself admitted that seeing his midfield teammates receive extensions while he was left waiting made him sad.
I can understand why Liverpool might be taking their time.
The club have to look at wages, age, performances and the long-term structure of the squad.
But from Mac Allister’s perspective, it is understandable that he might ask himself why other midfielders have received new deals while he hasn’t.
And Liverpool need Mac Allister
This is why I wouldn’t be comfortable with Liverpool allowing this situation to drift.
Mac Allister is not just another midfielder.
He is a World Cup winner.
He has Premier League experience.
He has Champions League experience.
And, under Iraola, he is already becoming an important part of the midfield.
Liverpool may have decided that they can build around Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch.
If that’s the plan, then why wouldn’t you want Mac Allister tied down?
That is the question I would be asking.
Could 2027 really be the summer he leaves?
It is certainly possible.
Romano has suggested that he wouldn’t close the door on Mac Allister leaving in 2027 if the contract situation isn’t resolved.
And I think Liverpool supporters need to take that seriously.
Not panic.
Not assume he is leaving.
But take it seriously.
Because the longer the situation continues, the more difficult it could become.
If Mac Allister enters 2027 without a new contract, other clubs will know Liverpool are approaching a decision point.
And there will inevitably be interest.
Liverpool should learn from this
We’ve already seen Liverpool allow important players to reach the final stages of their contracts.
Sometimes that works.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
Liverpool cannot afford to repeatedly find themselves in situations where they are forced into difficult decisions because contract talks haven’t been resolved early enough.
Mac Allister is exactly the type of player I would want Liverpool to keep.
He’s entering his prime.
He understands the Premier League.
He has already won the biggest trophies.
And he clearly loves the football club.
Most importantly, he stayed when he had the opportunity to leave this summer.
That should tell Liverpool something.
Don’t let this become another unnecessary saga
For me, this is very simple.
If Liverpool believe Mac Allister is part of Iraola’s long-term plans, give him a contract that reflects his importance.
If they don’t believe he is part of those plans, then the club need to be honest about that as well.
What Liverpool cannot do is allow the situation to drift for another year and then discover that Mac Allister is considering his options.
Because by then, the decision may no longer be entirely Liverpool’s.
Liverpool need to act
Mac Allister has already made his feelings clear.
He wants to stay.
He wants to win trophies.
He is giving Liverpool everything while he remains at the club.
But he has also admitted that the lack of a new contract has hurt him.
And now Romano has warned that a 2027 exit cannot be ruled out if the situation remains unresolved.
I don’t want to see Alexis Mac Allister leave Liverpool.
I want to see him at Anfield for the best years of his career.
But Liverpool have to make him feel wanted.
Because if they don’t, 2027 could become the summer when one of Liverpool’s most important midfielders walks away.
And that would be a huge mistake.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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