Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has spoken out about his preferred position on the pitch amid ongoing transfer speculation linking him with a move from Merseyside to Real Madrid this summer
Ian Doyle Chief Liverpool FC Correspondent
18:01, 29 Jun 2026Updated 18:01, 29 Jun 2026
Alexis Mac Allister has been speaking about his preferred position
Alexis Mac Allister has been speaking about his preferred position(Image: ESPN)
Alexis Mac Allister believes his optimal role lies in operating within a double defensive pivot, as new boss Andoni Iraola listens.
Mac Allister is presently representing Argentina at the World Cup in North America, with the team preparing for its round of 32 fixture against Cape Verde on Friday. The 27-year-old was among a number of players who endured a disappointing campaign with Liverpool, which culminated in Arne Slot's dismissal as head coach and his replacement by Iraola.
Mac Allister — who remains without a fresh contract offer from the Reds despite having two years remaining on his deal — has been persistently linked with a potential departure from Anfield this summer, with Real Madrid considered among the interested parties.
However, the landscape has shifted since Jose Mourinho took control at the Bernabeu earlier this month, with Bernardo Silva joining from Manchester City on a free transfer and Real pursuing a move for Mac Allister's Argentina teammate, Enzo Fernandez, of Chelsea.
Mac Allister appeared in all but two fixtures for Liverpool last term and was deployed across various midfield positions, differing from the number six role alongside Ryan Gravenberch he had held the previous season.
When questioned about his favored position, Mac Allister responded: "When I was young, I used to play as a 10.
Mac Allister is currently at the World Cup
Mac Allister is currently at the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
"In Argentina, I would play a lot in maybe a diamond, so 4-3-1-2.
"I used to play as 10. Then, when I came to England, (playing) at 10 was a little harder for me, so I moved a little bit deeper to play as an eight.
"I like to do a bit of everything and try to help the team wherever I can.
"I like to be close to the ball, and I feel like to be close to the ball. Maybe the position as a double six is my best position. But I can play everywhere."
Mac Allister's message is likely to be heard by Iraola, who will be tasked with getting the best out of the midfielder if he stays at Anfield this summer.
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In conversation with ESPN's Ball Knowledge, Mac Allister identified Barcelona's Pedri and Paris Saint-Germain pair Vitinha and Joao Neves as his current favorite midfielders.
"I would say Pedri (is my favorite)," the Liverpool star revealed. "He's in a really good level, and he's showing the whole world how to play football. Then you have Vitinha and Joao Neves as well.
"We played against them and they are really good and not just on the ball, but physically off the ball they are very smart. I really like them."