Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool to hand Alexis Mac Allister a new contract after watching the midfielder shine under head coach Andoni Iraola this season.
Gerrard Calls for New Deal
Speaking on The Overlap Daily after Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park on November 8, 2026, Gerrard argued that the Argentina international has earned fresh terms, according to Yahoo Sports. Alisson Becker won the match ball for his display, but Gerrard singled out Mac Allister as the standout outfield player.
From an outfield perspective, again, it was a consistent performance. I’ve loved him this season.
Steven Gerrard, Liverpool legend
Gerrard described Mac Allister as a clever, competitive and aggressive footballer with top-tier tactical understanding. He also noted that the midfielder is exceptional in the air despite his height, serving as a threat at set pieces and a reliable defender in the box.
Gerrard commented that he has only seen Michael Owen, who is of a similar size, perform better in the air. He added that the midfielder is an experienced player and an asset to the team’s midfield setting.
Former Watford striker and BBC pundit Troy Deeney also praised the midfielder, selecting him for his Premier League Team of the Week. Deeney expressed confusion regarding the lack of a contract extension, stating that Mac Allister is vitally important to how Liverpool plays, maintains high energy, and consistently performs well.
Deeney suggested that if Mac Allister remains fit and available, he could provide Liverpool a chance to compete in the Premier League title race.
Mac Allister Faces Contract Renewal Difficulties at Liverpool
Mac Allister’s current deal at Anfield runs until June 2028. He joined the club from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023 for around £35 million, just six months after his 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar. Some reports have valued the total transfer fee at £55 million.
Earlier in the 2026–27 campaign, Mac Allister publicly revealed that Liverpool informed him last season they had no immediate plans to renew his agreement. Speaking to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, he admitted that communication proved painful and unpleasant, especially after midfield teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch secured long-term extensions. Gravenberch signed a new deal in March that ties him to the club until 2032, while Szoboszlai is committed until 2031.
Last season I was told that the club’s idea was not to renew it, at least for now. And obviously, that was a painful, unpleasant situation.
Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool midfielder
Gerrard offered context for Mac Allister’s dip in form during the 2025–26 campaign—which ended with Arne Slot losing his job in May 2026—suggesting that the distraction of the World Cup weighed heavily on Argentina players. During that 2025–26 season, there were concerns regarding a potential decline in the midfielder’s performance levels.
Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs noted on the Market Madness podcast that, as of now, the club’s objective is not to offer Mac Allister a new deal. This comes as Liverpool prepares to look for at least one new midfielder in 2027.
Resurgence Under Iraola
Mac Allister has rebounded strongly under Iraola, contributing five goals and one assist across 16 matches in all competitions. His recent contributions include opening the scoring in the victory at Crystal Palace on November 8 and scoring against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. His current season tally includes five goals, matching his total from the 2025/26 campaign.
The midfielder’s resurgence follows a difficult period, including playing all 130 minutes in Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain in July 2026. Mac Allister has also shown his commitment to the cause and to his teammates by confronting Jefferson Lerma in the closing stages when the Palace player got involved in a spat with young Trey Nyoni.
Mac Allister currently faces disciplinary pressure, sitting one yellow card away from a Premier League suspension and two in the Champions League.
Reflecting on off-field shifts at Anfield, Mac Allister noted that the appointment of head coach Iraola and new sporting director Julian Ward—who replaced Richard Hughes—alongside new investment from an 1892 Holdings consortium involving Jeff Bezos, leaves his long-term future open. The consortium, which includes the Amazon founder, recently acquired a 38 per cent stake in the club.
Now, the manager has changed, the sporting director has changed, and new investors are coming into the club. Today I’m in a position when anything can happen. I enjoy being here a lot.
Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool midfielder
Mac Allister remains contracted for another year and a half and maintains that staying at Anfield remains his primary goal. Speaking to AS following the match against Crystal Palace, he offered a reassuring message to supporters regarding the ongoing speculation.
There’s still time. The fans don’t need to worry. It will depend on how I perform during these years. I’m going to give 100% and, hopefully, maybe they will change their minds.
Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool midfielder
The midfielder concluded his remarks by emphasizing that his future decisions will ultimately be driven by his continued performance levels on the pitch. While speculation regarding his future has intensified, journalist Ismaeel Mahmoud recently suggested on social media that positive news could arrive within the next ten days.
