Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park
Photo by Steve Bardens – AMA/Getty Images
Alexis Mac Allister continued his improvement this season with a headed goal during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Argentine has bounced back from a poor campaign last time out to return to being one of the Reds’ key players, and is now one of the first names on the teamsheet under Andoni Iraola.
Mac Allister’s renaissance comes against the backdrop of a contract situation which looks likely to end with him leaving Liverpool next season. The Reds did not offer the 27-year-old a new deal over the summer, despite agreeing terms with both Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, leading to Mac Allister publicly declaring his ‘sadness’ in September.
Since then, the No. 10 has been brilliant, and after scoring his fifth goal of the season at Selhurst Park, he spoke to the Spanish press to put more pressure on the Liverpool owners to hand him a contract extension.
Andoni Iraola has the same number of points after 10 games as Arne Slot did last season (18). Have Liverpool improved or still not performing? Give us your thoughts…
I did expect a bit more heavy metal but it looks like it's going to take time. I'm just glad we're getting points this early in the process, and I do think there are enough flashes to be cautiously optimistic about
I think managers deserve to be given time to get things right in their first season and Liverpool have definitely got better as the season has gone on.
Yeah, maybe I’m being harsh. I just expected a little bit more to be honest. We are better than we were last season, but I wanted to see a bigger shift in style. Think just like last season some good results have papered over quite a lot. We have been poor in a fair few of those we’ve won so I’m still not really convinced
Mac Allister still hopeful of contract renewal
On this form, there is little question that Liverpool would be fools to sell Mac Allister. Nevertheless, as he approaches the last 18 months of his agreement, it seems fairly likely that the former Brighton man will be flogged next summer.
If he can keep going in the right direction, however, a change is still possible. That certainly seems to be what Mac Allister is hoping for, and he told AS after Sunday’s game that he is going to give it his all to make the Liverpool board change their stance.
“There’s still time,” he said in regards to his contract situation. “The fans don’t need to worry. It’s going to depend on how I perform during these years. I’m going to give 100% and, hopefully, maybe they (the board) will change their minds.
“I had some very good years at Liverpool. I remember the year we won the Premier League , which was a very good year. Also, the first year with Jurgen (Klopp), playing perhaps in a new position I wasn’t used to. Overall, apart from last year, they were very good years.”
A. Mac Allister
Liverpool – Premier League (2026 – 2027)
Appearances 10
Minutes Played 758
Average Rating 7.15
Shots 14
Goals 1
Assists 0
Key Passes 9
Pass Accuracy (%) 84.00
Duels Contested 75
Duels Won 39
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Mac Allister was also asked if him going public with his contract issues in September had been a turning point for him, something the midfielder strongly denied.
“I don’t see it that way, honestly,” he answered. “I always gave my all, I fought hard, and I had this mentality of attacking every match in the best way possible.
“Perhaps it’s more noticeable these days because I’m scoring goals and because of the team’s situation, but I’ve always said that I’m the same person and the same player. That’s not going to change. The important thing is that I’m playing well, that I feel good, and that I hope I can continue like this.”