Alexis Mac Allister silences contract doubts to spearhead Liverpool revival ahead of Arsenal visit
Alexis Mac Allister has shaken off recent contract doubts to drive Liverpool’s revival at Anfield as the past two Premier League champions prepare to meet on Sunday.
Mac Allister drew attention at a press conference before Atlético Madrid’s visit to Anfield last month and later expressed sadness at the absence of a new contract offer and envy over deals given to Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, saying: “The fans don’t need to worry as I will give my 100% and maybe they [Liverpool] change their minds.” Liverpool’s handling of a contract that has entered its final two years suggested an extension was not a priority, despite the club having paid him a lucrative salary since he joined in June 2023 and signing him for £35m because of a release clause in his Brighton contract.
Andoni Iraola defended the midfielder’s public comments on Friday, saying: “You mention the press conference he had and I was there also, after him. The most important thing from that is that he wants to stay here. That is very important. He wants to work hard, he wants to be at his best so he can continue here helping us. A player of that level who has achieved what he has achieved, who can be as clear as that with his intentions, is very good for us because I appreciate him a lot. He’s a top player.”
The night after the press conference Mac Allister scored an immaculate winner against Diego Simeone’s Atlético and has kept producing performances that coincided with Liverpool rediscovering intensity and beginning to repair relations with the Anfield crowd. "Winning does that," the report observed, and Mac Allister’s displays have been central to that turnaround.
Mac Allister had been a major influence when Liverpool won their 20th league championship under Arne Slot but faded badly in Slot’s second and final season in charge. He also reminded a global audience as Argentina reached a second World Cup final in succession, yet speculation about a summer exit passed with relatively little public protest.
Opta data underline the change in Mac Allister’s game this season: he is averaging 2.3 tackles per Premier League game compared with 1.8 last season, winning more duels (4.8 from 3.8), more aerial duels (0.9 from 0.6) and winning more possession (5.6 on average compared to 3.8). Those defensive gains have come at the cost of the offensive numbers — touches in the opposition box, chances created, goals and assists are all down — as he sacrifices attacking output to add aggression and organisation.
Iraola added of Mac Allister’s role within the team: “The thing about Mac Allister is that he understands the game overall, not just the demands of his position. It is just what is happening overall in the game. Sometimes he is the first one to correct his teammates, not just the one who is next to him. He understands what is happening around him which is a very important quality to have.” Concerns that Liverpool’s midfield might be overrun by Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Bruno Guimarães and Martin Ødegaard have quietened during a winning run built on aggression, resilience and intensity; Iraola warned his side need to improve “almost everywhere.”
Mac Allister’s recent form has strengthened his bargaining position once more, and with Liverpool hosting Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday they can narrow the gap on Arsenal to three points with a fourth successive home win in all competitions.