Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister is certainly proving his worth to the club during the early parts of the season, following discussions over his contract situation
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool speaks to Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur
Alexis Mac Allister has proven his quality for Liverpool early this season(Image: (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images))
Alexis Mac Allister talked the talk when it came to his contract situation in the past week, and he has certainly walked the walk to back it up.
The Liverpool star revealed before the side's clash with Atletico Madrid that he felt slightly upset by the lack of movement on an extension to his deal, considering it has just two years remaining on it.
While the Argentinian international has been performing, he has been looking around and seeing his midfield partners Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch handed new long-term contracts, while he still waits for an update on his situation. It's understandable why that may come as a surprise, considering the years of impressive performances - with the sole exception of a poorer campaign last time out - and why that may hurt.
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However, while making a pointed statement in a press conference is one way to put a spotlight on a player's future, perhaps the best way is to prove on the pitch exactly why that is deserved in the first place.
Well, it hasn't taken Mac Allister long to show Liverpool exactly why he is so important, and perhaps why a contract discussion should be under consideration in the near future.
The midfielder has started four games this season across all competitions, and the Reds have won three of them and drawn the other one, outlining at least a bit of his impact, even if it is a small sample size.
In those starts, the 27-year-old has scored twice, both being game-state-altering goals, and assisted once to underline the attacking qualities that he brings to a side that has been criticized for a lack of midfield cohesion in the early days of Andoni Iraola's reign.
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool gestures during the Carabao Cup third round match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15 2026
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool gestures during the Carabao Cup third round match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15 2026(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
There has been an element of control with Mac Allister that hasn't quite been there for other midfield pairings, particularly when Gravenberch and Szoboszlai are present.
While he didn't have his best season last time out and is at an age profile where a new contract decision is tricky for Liverpool, the midfielder has come in with a point to prove, and he is certainly proving it.
"I said it before the [Atletico Madrid] game, I consider him a great player and I think he understands very well the game," Iraola said of Mac Allister before the clash with Fulham, underlining his delight at the start he has made this season.
"He has also the experience that is very good for quite a young team like we are right now. I'm very happy to have him in our team, and I hope he can keep this level of performance. And if he can even improve it, much better."
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While some fans, including Jamie Carragher, won't like players publicly discussing their contracts and putting pressure on the club, it has shifted the focus on Mac Allister to perform.
At the moment he has done that, in yet another pointed message to the Liverpool board. With uncertainty over the next sporting director, it's unclear when a decision will be made on Mac Allister's future one way or another, but he is showing his worth to Iraola early on this season, and that is undeniable.