Alexis Mac Allister has been in much better form for Liverpool but transfer talk is persisting for a reason
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool(Image: Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
View Image
When it comes to playing games in football, the action is never restricted to just on the pitch. And even though there are four months until the summer transfer window opens, debate over the future of players continues to dominate the headlines.
Alexis Mac Allister found himself at the centre of the latest rumour this week with claims Manchester United are looking at a potential move for the Liverpool midfielder.
That the bitter North West rivals haven't done any direct transfer business since Phil Chisnall swapped Old Trafford for Anfield almost 62 years ago indicates speculation is almost certain to remain just that.
But that such talk has been given credence has perhaps been possible given Mac Allister's indifferent form for much of the season for Liverpool having struggled to regain full fitness and sharpness after the injury he had nursed during the closing stages of the title-winning campaign under Arne Slot.
Mac Allister was voted by his fellow professionals among the best Premier League players after building upon his impressive debut term at Liverpool.
Having been employed first as a sole defensive midfielder and then a more attacking force under Jurgen Klopp, Slot reverted him to playing alongside Ryan Gravenbech in a double pivot with the Argentina international having forged his reputation at Brighton operating in a similar role alongside Moises Caicedo.
Despite, particularly during the opening months of this season, understandable concerns over his match sharpness, Mac Allister has sat out only two games - injured for the Premier League win at Newcastle United in August and then rested for the League Cup triumph against Southampton the following month.
Of his 37 appearances, 29 have been as a starter, indicating Slot still regards Mac Allister as one of his most trusted lieutenants despite the obvious dip in performance level during the second half of 2025, save the November week in which a Champions League winner against Real Madrid was followed by an assist against Aston Villa.
The turn of the year, though, has witnessed a marked improvement. After two assists in the FA Cup win over Barnsley came a brace in the Champions League rout of Qarabag, while his increased durability is evident by his outing against former club Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday being the fifth successive game in which he has played the full 90 minutes.
Similar to Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, Mac Allister is approaching the final two years of his contract with discussions having taken place over a new contract. Talk of interest from United, as with that in Szoboszlai of Real Madrid, won't harm any attempts to negotiate a salary increase.
But now 27, Mac Allister seems the most likely to consider a move in the summer, particularly having previously made clear the appeal of playing in Spain at some point in his career.
Real Madrid have long been touted with interest and another good World Cup with Argentina in the summer would bump up Mac Allister's value further and make him an even more attractive proposition to the Spanish side, who rarely allow themselves to not be linked with top players.
Liverpool and Slot have made clear the continued importance of Mac Allister this season, with the Argentine pivotal should the Reds salvage tangible reward from a difficult campaign.
But if he moves on in the summer, it will far more likely be to the Bernabeu than down the other end of the East Lancs Road.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source.Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings