A few months ago, I wouldn’t have been surprised if Liverpool had decided to cash in on Alexis Mac Allister. Now? I wouldn’t want to see him go anywhere.
Football changes quickly, doesn’t it?
The Argentine midfielder had a difficult time last season and even admitted himself that he wasn’t performing at the level he expected. With Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch signing new contracts, Mac Allister was left wondering why he hadn’t been offered one.
He admitted in September that the situation made him “very, very sad” and revealed there had been opportunities to leave Anfield.
Atlético Madrid had shown interest, while Manchester City were also linked with him. But Mac Allister stayed, insisting Liverpool was the right club for him.
And thank goodness he did.
What a difference a few months can make
I thought Mac Allister looked a shadow of himself at times last season. His usual energy wasn’t always there, his influence on games dropped and Liverpool’s midfield struggled to control matches.
There were legitimate questions about his future.
But I’ve always believed there was a top-class player in there, and we’re seeing much more of that under Andoni Iraola.
His performance against Villarreal was outstanding. Liverpool were two goals behind, the game was threatening to get away from them, and Mac Allister helped turn everything around.
He scored twice in the 4-3 victory, showing his ability to arrive in the right place at the right time. He also brought the energy and aggression Liverpool desperately needed.
That’s the Mac Allister I want to see.
He isn’t just someone who keeps possession ticking over. He can win challenges, dictate the tempo, pick a pass and contribute goals. When he’s playing with that confidence, Liverpool’s midfield looks a much better place to be.
And after his comments about something not being right within the group last season, it’s interesting to hear how positively he has spoken about the change under Iraola.
I’m not going to pretend I know exactly what happened behind the scenes, but Mac Allister certainly looks a happier and more effective player now.
Liverpool need to sort this contract out
According to Dominic King of The Telegraph, Liverpool are in no rush to open talks over a new deal, despite the midfielder’s improved performances.
His current contract runs until 2028, so the club still have time. But that doesn’t mean they should leave the situation hanging indefinitely.
Mac Allister is 27, a World Cup winner and a Premier League champion. Players with his experience and ability don’t grow on trees, and replacing him would be far from straightforward.
I understand why Liverpool might have hesitated after last season. New contracts have to be earned, and the club must make sensible decisions with its finances.
But if Mac Allister continues performing like he has recently, surely the conversation has to change?
Liverpool have already seen what can happen when important contract situations drag on for too long. They need to decide whether Mac Allister is part of their plans for the next few years and act accordingly.
There is a difference between refusing to panic and leaving a valuable player wondering where he stands.
Letting him go would be a huge gamble
The links with Atlético Madrid and Manchester City are a reminder that other clubs recognise Mac Allister’s quality.
Imagine strengthening a direct rival by allowing a player of his ability to leave, only to spend a fortune trying to find someone who can do the same job.
That would make little sense to me.
Of course, one excellent performance against Villarreal shouldn’t erase every concern from last season. Mac Allister needs to maintain this level, and Liverpool have every right to assess his performances before committing to a long-term deal.
But the signs are encouraging. He’s looking sharper, he’s getting into dangerous positions and he’s influencing the biggest games again.
Most importantly, he has already made it clear that he loves Liverpool and wants to be successful at Anfield.
The club shouldn’t take that for granted.
My view is simple: if Mac Allister keeps playing like this, Liverpool need to get him tied down.
A few months ago, his future looked uncertain. Now he’s becoming one of the first names I’d want on the teamsheet.
That’s quite a turnaround, and I suspect Liverpool supporters would be furious if they watched him leave and then saw him producing these performances somewhere else.
Let’s hope the club are paying attention.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
Leave a Reply