Theo Squires on-the-whistle report as Liverpool match-winner Alexis Mac Allister lets his football do the talking in the 2-1 Champions League victory at home to Atletico Madrid
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates his winning goal for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Alexis Mac Allister insisted he had nothing to prove when previewing Liverpool’s Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid. The Argentine set tongues wagging when facing the press on Tuesday afternoon as he acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty regarding his long-term Reds future.
Yet come kick-off against the La Liga outfit - a side who had previously been regularly touted as one of his potential suitors - the midfielder played like a man possessed.
Mac Allister has little under two years left to run on his current deal. And having seen team-mates Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai both sign extensions in the past 12 months, he was quick to make his point when facing the media.
In an honest press conference, Mac Allister held nothing back as he admitted he could have left Liverpool in the summer and was ‘very, very sad’ to have been told the club were currently not in a position to offer him an extension.
Admittedly, the 27-year-old was arguably one of the Reds’ biggest under-performers last season under former head coach Arne Slot. Few would have been surprised if he had moved on.
Yet Mac Allister also insisted he would like to stay put. And while he might be adamant he has nothing to prove, he made sure to back up such words by doing his talking on the pitch as Liverpool opened up their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Atletico.
The World Cup winner wasted no time in getting stuck into Diego Simeone’s no-nonsense side. He would win an early free-kick out on the flank after wrestling with three opponents in an attempt to retain possession and was a physical presence throughout.
Booked for a late stamp on the foot of Lee Kang-in in the 28th minute, the Kop responded by singing his popular terrace chant.
In truth, it would have been a rare sound at times last season while supporters had been divided by his decision to speak out so openly about his future on the eve of the Reds’ Champions League opener. But he wasted no time at all to win over the Anfield crowd.
Yet he saved his best for the second half, firing home a stunning winner in front of the Kop. Powering home first-time from the edge of the box with his weaker left foot after Rio Ngumoha’s shot had been blocked, Jan Oblak stood no chance in the opposing goal.
With Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard watching on on punditry duty for TNT Sports, it was a strike the former Reds captain would have been proud of.
Mac Allister celebrated wildly, beating the badge on his chest to the crowd and 'very sad' no longer.
While his future might have been the subject of frequent speculation in recent times, with his father, Carlos, commenting more than once on such a topic, he certainly played like a player who wishes to remain with Liverpool on Wednesday night.
Of course, one good performance will not be enough alone to earn an extension. But Mac Allister walked the walk after talking the talk.
Afforded a standing ovation when withdrawn in the 69th minute, Alisson Becker then tried - and failed - to push his fellow South American forward to the Kop to take in the acclaim after the final whistle.
But pointing to Mac Allister as the pair embraced, he made sure his team-mate got the credit he deserved. If such form continues, Liverpool might well find their contract stance tested.