Alexis Mac Allister has made himself undroppable at Liverpool and could still sign a new contract
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The Frenchman could get his first start against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC Had he left, many Liverpool fans would have been unbothered. Mac Allister was one of the Reds’ worst performers last season, and plenty were ready to accept that his career at Anfield was over, or at the very least, ending.However, the World Cup showed that Mac Allister still has plenty to offer, and he has now underlined that by forcing his way into Iraola’s starting Liverpool XI.
10 has taken over duties.Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Bradley Barcola is officially the fastest player in the Premier League after only half an hour of footballLiverpool looked better protected with Mac Allister in situ against Nottingham Forest, and in a new-look two along with Dominik Szoboszlai, the Argentina international stood out again vs Ipswich.He was better in ground duels than he has been – winning three out of five attempts – while he also showed the tenacity he has sometimes been missing recently by making three tackles.His passing was crisp and concise and he has even started threading passes between the lines again.Mac Allister may have started the season out of many supporters’ strongest Liverpool XIs, but he has quickly made a mockery of that, and when the Reds face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, he will surely be in the team. Liverpool should consider a new contract for Mac AllisterThough the camp of Mac Allister, and more specifically his father, have come out to regularly state Alexis’ happiness at Liverpool, there remains a feeling that he could soon leave the club.The Reds are reportedly eyeing Lamine Camara as a replacement, and given his contract will have one year to run next summer, the chances of an exit for Mac Allister seem fairly high.
On this kind of form Mac Allister is still one of the best midfielders in Europe, and he is a winner and leader in the dressing room.There is absolutely no need to rush him out of the door, and he will still be only 29 when his contract ends in 2028.Liverpool have seen the dangers of letting players in their prime leave too early when selling Luis Diaz last summer, and if Mac Allister joins a Real Madrid or a Man City, they could easily see him go on a similar trajectory to his Colombian friend.Instead, what is the danger in Liverpool handing Mac Allister a two or even three year extension? He could easily be in the Reds’ midfield for another two or three years, and his value would be protected.There is some sense in seeing how Mac Allister bounces back from the worst season of his career last term, but Liverpool should retain the ability to pivot.