Alexis Mac Allister has been one of the players most under the microscope at Liverpool this season after a big drop-off in form.
Since his arrival in 2023, the Argentine had been consistently brilliant until the end of the 2024/25 campaign, even earning himself a PFA Player of the Year nomination last term.
An injury at the end of the campaign appeared to affect Mac Allister far more than expected, however, and he has not been his usual self in 2025/26.
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Liverpool fans have been trying to get to the bottom of their No. 10’s struggles, wondering if the injury has simply taken something away from his game.
Much of the analysis has seemed to ignore the fact that Liverpool sold Mac Allister’s two best friends in the squad last summer in Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz. After the midfielder aimed some thinly-veiled criticism at the Reds on Saturday, it is clear that this is weighing on his mind.
Alexis Mac Allister is not happy with Liverpool transfer business
As Mac Allister’s comments filtered through on Saturday, many Liverpool fans expressed surprise at the candid nature of them.
“Many things changed as I said, new players came in to replace those who left, we changed too many things, but I prefer to keep it to myself,” he told Sky Sports.
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In speaking publicly to such a big broadcaster, Mac Allister is doing anything but ‘keeping it to himself.’ Nevertheless, it is clear that all the changes have affected his game.
The decision to sell Nunez and Diaz was not completely down to Liverpool, as both players were seemingly pushing to move on. But the tone of Mac Allister’s words suggest he is not completely happy with the club for flogging his two closest friends.
It is understandable that the Argentina international would be feeling a little strange at Anfield without two South American colleagues who were at the club to welcome him two-and-a-half years ago.
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Lionel Messi pictured during Argentina training during a session in Buenos Aires (Credit: Getty Images/JUAN MABROMATA/AFP).
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With rumours flying around that Real Madrid could look to sign Mac Allister at some stage, it does not bode well for his future on Merseyside.
Liverpool could make sensational move to keep Mac Allister happy
Just as Mac Allister’s words of discontent were airing on Sky, rumours circulated in Spain that Liverpool could pursue a sensational move for Lionel Messi.
It seems unlikely to happen, clearly, but if the Reds could go out and get Messi on-loan, surely that would placate Mac Allister.
The legendary playmaker is Mac Allister’s idol, and he would surely be over the moon to see his national team colleague arrive at Anfield.
As unlikely as that is, though, Liverpool will need to find another way to keep him happy.
With everything that has gone on with the Reds since July, there shouldn’t be too much surprise that Mac Allister is missing his former teammates. He is likely not the only one in the Liverpool dressing room feeling the same. But this is football, and it is true that he has not been up to scratch this season. No more excuses, it is time for Mac Allister to get back to his best.
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