Alexis Mac Allister transformed his Liverpool form after publicly declaring his sadness over a missing contract extension in September, anchoring Andoni Iraola’s midfield through commanding performances.
Alexis Mac Allister Publicly Questions His Contract Situation
Peering out from underneath a baseball cap, the Argentine midfielder addressed his unresolved future with candid frustration as he mused over why he had not been offered a new contract by Liverpool. Unlike midfield colleagues Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, the 27-year-old had not received fresh terms following a difficult previous campaign under Arne Slot after a dreadful third season at Anfield.
That public declaration of sadness arrived just as a new head coach took charge, threatening to destabilize the dressing room at a delicate moment.
Speculation immediately surrounded the player, who had previously drawn interest from Diego Simeone and found himself mentioned in dispatches alongside Manchester City as they struggled to strike a deal for Enzo Fernández. Yet manager Andoni Iraola quickly found that his midfield anchor required no management intervention once the whistle blew, as strong displays against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town set the stage for an explosive run of form.
Midfield Dominance Against Brentford and in Europe
Statistical breakdowns from that fixture highlighted an engine room operator functioning at peak efficiency. He completed 69 of his 79 passes for an accuracy rate of 87 per cent, won six of his nine duels for a 67 per cent success rate, recovered possession five times, made three successful dribbles, and contributed two tackles and two clearances during a 2-1 victory over Brentford that underlined Mac Allister’s importance.
COMEBACK COMPLETE FOR LIVERPOOL 🔴Alexis Mac Allister gets his second of the game and Florian Wirtz adds the fourth with a smart finish 👌Don't miss the #UCL on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/Hue5MwOs0U
Across 488 Premier League minutes, his cumulative figures show he leads the squad in line-breaking passes per 90 minutes while averaging 11.4 kilometres covered per match, ranking second in the team. His 14 tackles place him second in the squad, and his 58 defensive contributions rank third, anchoring a grueling schedule that also featured stellar Champions League nights at Anfield where he scored a crucial double against Atlético Madrid and starred against Villarreal.
Mac Allister Credits New Manager for Improved Form
Reflecting on his resurgence, the midfielder pointed directly to the collective struggles of the previous campaign and the tactical renewal brought by the new coaching staff.
Last year was a really difficult year for all of us. It was clear I was not at the level and I am the first one to say. Something wasn’t right in the group and this manager changed it. The way we play is different, I don’t like to compare. I’m feeling good.
Alexis Mac Allister, via Telegraph
His knack for arriving in the penalty area also yielded dividends. Recalling his goalscoring header against Atlético Madrid, he noted that attacking the near post stems from family pedigree rather than rigorous training ground drills as he discussed his father Carlos, a former left-back and teammate of Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors.
I’m not tall but I love going in the box. I really like it. They know I like to attack the near post. I scored in the World Cup as well. It was a good header. The second goal, Rio, was amazing. I talk with him about cutting it back on the floor. It’s not something I really practise. My dad is a bit smaller than me but he was quite good in the air so maybe it’s something I got from him.
Alexis Mac Allister, via Telegraph
Injuries Increase Burden as Exit Remains Likely
Dominik Szoboszlai suffered a recurrence of a hamstring issue that had troubled him previously, placing an even heavier burden on Mac Allister alongside youthful alternatives and fringe options such as Wataru Endo and James McConnell. While supporters increasingly demand an extension for the World Cup winner, whose initial transfer arrived in June 2023 on a cut-price £35m deal, executive planning points toward an eventual exit.
According to journalist David Lynch speaking via Anfield Index, the player’s contract situation has not shifted toward an extension, and he is still expected to play his final season on Merseyside before departing next summer with 18 months remaining on his agreement.
This outlook affects how the club views January targets like Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, who has been linked with an £80-100m valuation.
Magic from Rio Ngumoha 🤩🪄Alexis Mac Allister puts Liverpool ahead with his second goal of the night ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3FTNWOUYhl