Mac Allister’s Preferred Role and Club Future
Alexis Mac Allister, a midfielder for Liverpool, has discussed his preferred position on the pitch amidst ongoing speculation regarding his long-term future at the club. The 27-year-old is currently with Argentina at the World Cup in North America, preparing for a match against Cape Verde.
Mac Allister believes he is best suited to playing as part of a double defensive pivot. He explained that while he started his career as a number 10, particularly in Argentina in a 4-3-1-2 diamond formation, playing in that role became more challenging in England. He subsequently moved deeper to play as an eight.
He stated, “I like to do a bit of everything and try to help the team wherever I can. I like to be close to the ball, and I feel like to be close to the ball. Maybe the position as a double six is my best position. But I can play everywhere.”
The midfielder was part of a Liverpool squad that experienced an underwhelming season, which concluded with Arne Slot being replaced by Andoni Iraola as head coach. Mac Allister featured in almost every game for Liverpool last season, playing in various midfield roles, though he occupied a number six position alongside Ryan Gravenberch in the previous campaign.
Despite joining Liverpool for £35m three years ago, Mac Allister has not yet been offered a new contract and has two years remaining on his current deal. This situation has led to him being linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer, with Real Madrid reportedly among the potential suitors.
Real Madrid Interest and Midfield Dynamics
Reports suggest that Real Madrid admires Mac Allister, but the Spanish club currently has a large number of midfielders, which could hinder a move. However, the situation at Real Madrid has seen some changes since Jose Mourinho took over as boss earlier this month.
Bernardo Silva has arrived at the Bernabeu on a free transfer from Manchester City, and Real Madrid is also reportedly exploring a significant move for Mac Allister’s fellow Argentina international midfielder, Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea.
Some reports indicate that Mac Allister could become a target for Real Madrid if they are able to facilitate player departures. This potential movement at Real Madrid could influence Mac Allister’s future at Liverpool.
Performance and Criticism
Mac Allister’s performances last season drew criticism from some Liverpool fans and pundits. While he was arguably a standout midfielder in the 2024-25 season when Liverpool won the Premier League title, his subsequent season saw a dip in form.
He sustained an injury in the latter stages of the 2024-25 campaign, which led to him missing much of pre-season in 2025 and contributed to a difficult start in 2025-26. Concerns have been raised about whether the midfielder’s mobility and fitness have permanently declined.
Despite some criticism, it has also been suggested that Mac Allister was at times unfairly blamed when other teammates did not perform well. His midfield partner, Ryan Gravenberch, who is three years younger and contracted until 2032, also faced scrutiny last term.
Mac Allister’s short-term future at Liverpool appears to be more uncertain than Gravenberch’s, who will likely face increased pressure if he has another challenging campaign in 2026-27.
When asked about his favourite midfielders, Mac Allister mentioned Barcelona’s Pedri and Paris Saint-Germain duo Vitinha and Joao Neves, noting their high level of play and intelligence both on and off the ball.
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Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”