Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has made no secret of his desire to sign a contract extension, but there are at least two players who are bigger priorities at Anfield
Andoni Iraola speaks to Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool's Premier League clash at Newcastle.
Andoni Iraola speaks to Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool's Premier League clash at Newcastle. (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"Already? I am just focusing on the present," Virgil van Dijk insisted when he was asked about his contract over the weekend. "There is nothing to report on that."
So soon into the new season, the Liverpool skipper was able to play down the suggestion, but it won't be long until his situation comes more and more into the public consciousness. Alongside Alisson Becker, the Liverpool captain is only tied down until the end of 2026/27.
So far this term, the pair have been ever-present when it matters, and while it is rare for Liverpool to have offered extensions to players who are over 30, if ever there are exceptions, it should be for these two.
Van Dijk is now 35, but he is showing no signs of slowing down. The center-back has been very good at the start of the new campaign, forging a strong partnership with Jeremy Jacquet.
There is no reason to believe, as things stand, that he couldn't stick around for at least another season beyond this one. Having just extended his international career, the Dutchman is still operating at a high level.
Likewise, Alisson, though he has picked up injuries at times in the last few years, remains a top-class goalkeeper. Not an outfield player, his career is likely to be extended beyond many of those who rely on other attributes such as pace.
As his low save from Evanilson showed against Bournemouth at the weekend, his reflexes are not struggling. His sharpness in recent games has been as quick as ever.
Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool embrace after the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium
Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool embrace after the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
At 33, he is still some way off Manuel Neuer's 40 years, and is younger than both Thibaut Courtois and Emi Martinez.
Alisson has made no secret of the fact that he wants to end his career back in Brazil, while he could have joined Juventus this summer amid transfer interest from the Italian giant.
But even with a deal agreed to bring in the 18-year-old Lucca Brughmans from Genk, and with Giorgi Mamardashvili on Liverpool's books too, there is no reason to be looking beyond the Brazilian yet.
If recent examples are anything to go by, contract talks will not be quick and easy. These are, after all, major decisions with various factors that will come into play.
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Right now, too, of course, Liverpool doesn't have a sporting director after the departure of Richard Hughes to Al Hilal, which won't help with the long-term planning.
When a new appointment is made, though, it would appear to make sense for Van Dijk and Alisson's stay to be given extensions. Far more so than Alexis Mac Allister, though the Argentine has made his desire to pen new terms public, and he has been playing very well of late, they are more of a sure thing.
Last season, Mac Allister toiled, while Van Dijk was steady, and Alisson appeared back to his normal levels.
Liverpool has looked considerably more solid under Andoni Iraola in recent games, with the experienced defensive pair very much at the heart of that.