Alexis Mac Allister had a slightly disappointing 2025/26 season. After helping Liverpool to the Premier League title the previous year, his performances led some fans to question the midfielder. Had Mac Allister lost his legs, or was there something deeper behind his struggles?
However, under new management, Mac Allister has once again become a key player in Liverpool’s midfield. He has featured in all four Premier League matches so far this season, as well as in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Ahead of Liverpool’s match against Atletico Madrid, Mac Allister spoke about his disappointment at not being offered a contract extension after seeing teammates Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai rewarded with new deals.
There were questions over whether those comments and his contract situation would affect his performance against Atletico, but that certainly wasn’t the case. Mac Allister produced arguably one of his better performances in recent times and was one of the best players on the pitch.
In every match he has played so far this season, Mac Allister has made a solid contribution. Against Newcastle, he came on and played 28 minutes, completing 10 of his 11 passes and winning one tackle in a match where Liverpool’s midfield had been chaotic.
He then started against Nottingham Forest, playing 77 minutes and completing 48 of his 51 passes (94%), while also making three tackles. Against Ipswich, he completed 34 of his 39 passes and again won three tackles.
His influence continued against Atletico Madrid, where he scored the match-winner while completing 89% of his passes. Against Fulham in the Premier League, he came off the bench and completed 18 of his 20 passes, adding some much-needed stability to a Liverpool midfield that had struggled during the earlier periods of the match.
Mac Allister also made his mark in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham, providing a goal and an assist.
It is definitely worth mentioning just how important Mac Allister could become under Andoni Iraola. His passing efficiency allows him to link the midfield and attack together, while he also offers plenty out of possession when it comes to winning the ball back.
His pressing and work rate have also been solid, and when you combine that with his ability on the ball, he could become one of the key players in Iraola’s midfield and his overall philosophy.
One of the biggest differences this season has been how Mac Allister has been used in Liverpool’s midfield. When he is at his best, he is someone who can control the tempo of a match, get on the ball in tight areas, and help Liverpool move the ball from midfield into attack.
He doesn’t always have to be the player scoring or providing the assist to have an impact on the match. His ability to receive the ball under pressure and find a teammate further forward is important, especially against teams who are happy to sit deep and make it difficult for Liverpool to play through the middle.
He also offers plenty without the ball. His work rate and pressing allow him to put opposition midfielders under pressure, while he is also good at winning the ball back. He made three tackles against both Nottingham Forest and Ipswich, showing that his performances haven’t just been about what he can do in possession.
This could be one of the reasons why Iraola has continued to use him in his midfield. Liverpool have plenty of quality in that area, but Mac Allister can offer a bit of everything, whether that is on the ball, helping link the midfield with the attack or doing the work out of possession.
Even more surprisingly, despite his solid start to the season, Mac Allister had a quiet pre-season. He played just 54 minutes in a 0-0 draw against Como behind closed doors, following his involvement at the World Cup.
Mac Allister helped Argentina reach the final, playing every single minute throughout the campaign and establishing himself as one of their key performers, particularly in wins over Austria, Cape Verde and Switzerland.
That World Cup campaign could have been the catalyst for getting his Liverpool career back on track. A new manager, fresh ideas and a positive tournament with Argentina seem to have given Mac Allister a new lease of life at Anfield.
The only question that remains is what happens if he continues performing at this level. Will the Liverpool hierarchy offer him a new contract, as they have done with other midfielders, or will they explore other options?
His performances so far this season could certainly give those in charge something of a headache.
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