With every Champions League victory carrying a £1.8million prize-money bonus, Alexis Mac Allister has already done his bit to cover a sizeable chunk of the improved Liverpool contract he is hoping to secure.
The Argentina international spoke candidly this week, delivering an unusually honest message to the club by admitting he was “very sad” to be told Liverpool were not currently ready to offer him fresh terms.
Mac Allister also laid bare the frustration of watching midfield team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch be rewarded with new deals, while he was left waiting for a call that might yet clarify his own long-term place at the club he insists he loves.
Barely a day after making his feelings public, Mac Allister responded in the most convincing way possible, backing up his words with a thumping goal that helped Liverpool secure an impressive win over Atletico Madrid.
It was a superbly taken strike, the kind of chance that can easily be sliced high into the stands, and it proved decisive in propelling Andoni Iraola to victory on his first European outing.
On a night that looked like a potential banana skin between a team in transition and Diego Simeone’s well-drilled unit, Mac Allister settled it in Liverpool’s favour.
Alexis Mac Allister starred and scored the winner as Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid, a day after he cast doubt over his future
Mac Allister expressed his sadness that he hadn’t been offered a new contract by the Reds
For that, his and father Carlos’s hands at the negotiating table have been significantly strengthened.
The Kop sang for Mac Allister, a chant that was not aired too much last season. He did start that campaign with a fitness issue and never looked like he had recovered his confidence. Liverpool’s midfield was bullied most weeks and he was the guiltiest party.
But in speaking up publicly, the player perhaps opened the eyes of some fans and reminded them that he is a human after all.
He loves the club and wants to stay, is keen to fight and ready to prove people wrong. That, it seems, has helped the fans turn back on his side.
It was not just the goal that pleased many on Wednesday night but the overall performance. Mac Allister, as he did at Ipswich last Friday, looked back to his best level after a season where his level dipped significantly.
On his day, Mac Allister can play with a bulldog-like tenacity off the ball, typical of an Argentinian midfielder, along with a guise and class on it. He did that in abundance here against Atletico, a club that has courted him over the last year or so.
So does this warrant a change of heart from Liverpool in terms of his new contract?
The first thing to say is that there is no need to panic over his future just yet. After all, he has the best part of two years remaining on his current deal and it is not like it expires at Christmas.
Two strong performances this week cannot change the fact he will be nearly 30 by the time this contract does expire.
But the early signs are promising that he is slowly reaching the level that saw him be regarded as in the very top bracket of players at the club in their Premier League title-winning campaign in 2024-25.
It was a welcome return to form for the Argentine star, who had his name sung by The Kop
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Mac Allister was one of several Reds stars to struggle during a tricky campaign in 2025-26
If he continues like this, though, then he absolutely deserves to extend his stay at his beloved Anfield. Nights like this can only help in that regard and club legend Steven Gerrard had some advice for him too.
‘You let your football do the talking,’ said the former Reds captain on TNT Sports. ‘I thought he was outstanding.
‘He got an early yellow card that could have affected them… but to come up with a stunning strike and to play with composure and discipline after the yellow card, was outstanding.
‘That’s the way, speak above, let the football do the talking. Show the experience, show your football, show that you’re a top international player, and trust me, this club… they will reward you.’
Gerrard is right. The door might be shut right now but it is not locked and he can still convince Liverpool to change their mind. Performances like this certainly will help.
How did Barcola’s full debut go?
Bradley Barcola managed to break records within minutes of coming off the bench at Ipswich’s Portman Road on Friday night, smashing the fastest sprint speed clocked in the Premier League this season.
He showed similar bursts of pace on his first start and full debut at Anfield here, and was unlucky not to open his goal-scoring account.
Had the match ended in dropped points for Liverpool, ire might turn to Barcola’s wastefulness in front of goal. He should be doing better but, as Iraola pointed out after the match, the fact he was in the position was pleasing enough for him.
Barcola combined well with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, who put in a fine display. Liverpool fans will hope that is a sign of things to come. If all three are on song, the possibilities are endless for the Reds this term and beyond.
Bradley Barcola made his full debut for Liverpool and showed several promising signs
Iraola’s boys up for the scrap
The first weeks of the Iraola era have had more positives than negatives. They have had things to get excited about and equally some to worry fans. There are still some uncertainties.
But one thing that is not in doubt is their fighting spirit. They came from behind against Newcastle to draw 2-2, they did the same against Nottingham Forest.
In the situation Liverpool found themselves in here, a goal down against a well-drilled Atletico side, they might have wilted last term. Not any more. They put up a fight and have given fans something to get behind.
And they are exhilarating to watch on the ball, too. In one attack in the second half, Liverpool had a six-on-two situation.
The Reds were criticised for being boring last year under Arne Slot. If Iraola has done one thing, it is to make Liverpool fun again.