Alexis Mac Allister scored the winner for Liverpool in the 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid after telling the press in the buildup that he wants a new contract.
Paul Joyce reinforced Mac Allister’s desire for a new contract after full-time, writing for the Times that the midfielder was “annoyed” not to be offered a new deal last season, but his performance against Atletico Madrid was a statement.
Joyce said: “As annoyed as the midfielder was not to be offered a new contract last season, it will be his actions, not any amount of words, that will now shape his future.”
[?] NEW: As annoyed as the midfielder was not to be offered a new contract last season, it will be his actions, not any amount of words, that will now shape his future.
(@_pauljoyce) pic.twitter.com/GnJZfiEsJT
— Anfield Pages (@AnfieldPages) September 9, 2026
Mac Allister’s call for a new contract before Atletico Madrid was backed up by a dominant display
Mac Allister joined Andoni Iraola for Liverpool’s pre-match press conference to preview the clash with Atleti, with Macca stealing the headlines by stating that he doesn’t see a better club for him than the Reds.
“There was a chance [to leave] of course, like everybody knows,” said the 27-year-old, clearly keen to speak about it openly. “I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which of course makes me very sad. I think everyone can see that I give my 100% for this football club, every single day in training. Of course I have good games and bad games, but I always give my best.
“I see Dominik [Szoboszlai] and Ryan [Gravenberch] renewing their contracts, which makes me very happy because they deserve it, but at the same time it makes me sad that I didn’t get mine. Of course there is still time [to be offered a new contract]. Fans don’t need to worry because I will give 100% until my last day. We will see what happens. There was options to leave this summer. I think right now I’m in the right club.”
It’s crunch time for Macca: This season is his last chance to buy a front-row seat to the Andoni Iraola era
Every Liverpool player at the club this season is essentially on trial to convince Iraola that they belong in the Spaniard’s team for the coming years.
Iraola has just joined the club from Bournemouth, with two draws and two wins to his name in the opening four games of his Liverpool tenure. I am already convinced that he will be at the club for years.
From his way of explaining things, his passion and spirit, the type of football and tactics he believes in, to his way of managing and relating to his players, there is so much to like about the 44-year-old.
But for Mac Allister, his situation is such that he essentially has one season to prove to Iraola and Liverpool that he is still an elite operator.
The 27-year-old midfielder was poor for Liverpool but world-class at the World Cup for Argentina, losing the chance to become a repeat World Champion in the final after defeat to Spain, but his contract is up in two years’ time.
Mac Allister’s £150,000-a-week Liverpool contract expires on 1 July 2028, with £15.6m fixed and £3.6m in bonuses remaining on his deal.
The club’s new owners face the critical decision of either offering him a new deal that will be more lucrative than this one and will take him into his thirties, or sell him next summer to avoid losing him for free in 2028.
If Mac Allister plays as he has in the last few games for 90% of the season ahead, I think he stands a good chance of being rewarded with a new deal.
His father and agent, Carlos Mac Allister, says his son hasn’t been offered a new deal, but the way he and his son always speak about it whenever the topic comes up, it seems as though they would like to renew long-term.
