Liverpool were given yet another painful reminder of last summer’s woeful transfer window this week as they saw Luis Diaz score a screamer against Real Madrid.
The Colombian has had a phenomenal season with Bayern Munich, and registered his 24th goal of the season to send the Germans past Madrid and into the Champions League semi-finals.
There has been plenty of debate over whether selling Diaz was the right decision from Liverpool, but questions must be asked of why he looks like such a different player to the one who occasionally toiled with the Reds last season.
Certainly, you would think that the 29-year-old’s form would at least make Liverpool think twice before making any rash sales this summer. But, after news arrived that Alexis Mac Allister could potentially be sold, the Reds appear to be falling into the same trap again.
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Alexander Isak pictured playing during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg match against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista
Liverpool have to keep Alexis Mac Allister
Diaz’s departure in 2025 was certainly a lot more complicated than Liverpool simply deciding that they no longer needed their former No. 7.
The winger wanted a bumper new contract, and with performances not really reflecting his wage demands, and his age beginning to creep up, Liverpool decided it was best for everyone if a parting of the ways occurred.
There are parallels in this respect to Mac Allister, who, like Diaz last year, is coming up to the final two years of his contract. 28 in December, Liverpool must weigh up whether the drop in his standard this season is simply a blip, or a sign of a more permanent decline.
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Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister celebrates with Luis Diaz after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Mac Allister was one of Liverpool’s best players last season, and has been on an upward trajectory ever since arriving in 2023. It feels inexplicable that his legs have suddenly gone, and is more likely that he will return to form next season.
The temptation to cash in on the Argentine is understandable but Liverpool must learn from their Diaz mistake and give the No. 10 more time to show his true self again.
If they do not, there will be no shortage of suitors across Europe for Mac Allister, and it would not be a surprise at all to see him flourish once again as someone else’s player.
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While some Liverpool fans disagree that selling Diaz last year was an error, you will be hard-pressed to find one who will not concur that the Reds should really have replaced him.
Arne Slot and Richard Hughes chose not to bring in a like-for-like left winger and have been made to pay the price all season long.
In terms of this year, there have been suggestions that Adam Wharton is being lined up to replace Mac Allister in the Liverpool midfield.
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Alexis Mac Allister battles Archie Gray for the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Although there is some sense to that, the Reds have looked short in the middle of the pitch all season. Where is the rush to get Mac Allister out of the door? If he cannot get his form back up to scratch, then keep him around as an able back-up.
As much as Slot has been keen to portray the notion of Liverpool as a selling club, they have to balance that by ensuring they have enough players to compete on all fronts next season.
Selling Mac Allister and bringing Wharton in would be a good move in the eyes of plenty, but it would again leave Liverpool gambling that one of their seemingly declining key players is not going to hit a top level again.
Should he leave, Mac Allister would do so for another big club. Sell him, and it could be Diaz all over again.
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