One of Liverpool’s biggest issues this season has been the drop in form of the previously impressive Alexis Mac Allister.
Mac Allister earned a PFA Player of the Year and a Ballon d’Or nomination for his performances during 2024/25, but has regressed massively this season.
On form, the Argentine is one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League, but when it deserts him, he looks too small, too slow and nowhere near physical enough.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
The reasons for Mac Allister‘s dip have generally been thought to be fitness related. The No. 10 missed the end of last season and was not fully fit heading into the new campaign.
However, there is potentially an overlooked cause of Mac Allister missing his two closest friends at the club. When Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez departed this summer, the 26-year-old had to readjust. Perhaps he is still doing so.
Diaz and Nunez became like brothers to Mac Allister, but while he searches for different connections at Anfield, perhaps Liverpool should entertain bringing an actual family member of Alexis to the club.
Alexis and Kevin Mac Allister chat after Liverpool's UEFA Europa League match against Union Saint Gilloise at Anfield.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Kevin Mac Allister could be a genuine target for Liverpool
Alexis is undoubtedly the most talented of the Mac Allister brothers, and has reached the highest level of the game.
However, his brother, Kevin, is also starting to belatedly make a name of his own.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Why signing Marc Guehi will not fix Liverpool’s defensive issues under Arne Slot
Having performed brilliantly for Union Saint Gilloise since his arrival in 2023, Mac Allister was called up to the Argentine national team for the first time on Sunday.
The 28-year-old has been excelling with his club this season, even scoring on his Champions League debut against PSV Eindhoven in September.
As Liverpool look to reinforce their defence in 2026, they are obviously looking at players with a bigger reputation in the game than Mac Allister.
Nevertheless, with Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate potentially leaving, the Reds may also need to add back-up to their squad. Experienced, solid and soon to be an Argentina international, they could do far worse than look towards Mac Allister.
If he can help get the best out of their mercurial No. 10 while also offering a steady option for Arne Slot, there is a logical argument to be made for his arrival.
What kind of player is Mac Allister?
If Gomez is to depart next summer, then Mac Allister may be a natural player to step into his shoes.
The former Argentinos Juniors man is fairly diminutive for a centre-back, and is nothing like Gomez physically, but he is versatile.
Perhaps more at home in a back three, Mac Allister is also adept at right-back which, given Liverpool’s struggles in the position right now, could come in handy.
Providing company for a struggling key player is no reason for a club like Liverpool to be signing anyone. But Mac Allister’s performances on the pitch have shown why he could genuinely be on the radar.
As he approaches the peak of his career, he is well worth keeping an eye on across the international break.