Liverpool still haven’t started contract talks with Alexis Mac Allister, but his father believes there could be some movement before the end of the year.
The midfielder has made no secret of his disappointment over the lack of a new deal. Back in September, he admitted he was “very, very sad” about the situation.
More recently, he told Liverpool fans not to worry and said he hoped the club’s board might change their minds.
Now his father and agent, Carlos Mac Allister, has had his say. And while he’s clearly hoping things work out at Anfield, he’s not ruling out a departure either.
Mac Allister’s father explains Liverpool situation
Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Carlos confirmed that negotiations haven’t even started yet. He also suggested there could be developments in the coming weeks.
“Alexis still has 20 months left on his contract. The sporting director has changed, and so has the manager. The situation is still being assessed, and there could be news before the end of the year.”
“We haven’t started talks over a renewal yet. If everything goes well, he’ll renew. If not, that’s fine, he’ll go his own way, like so many others.”
Carlos then went through his son’s achievements, making it pretty clear he doesn’t think finding another big club would be much of a problem.
“He’s a young player who has won the Copa América and the World Cup, and finished runner-up at the last one. And he was the Argentine player who ran the most at the World Cup.”
“He’s currently the player with the record for unbeaten World Cup matches, 13 games across 2022 and 2026, because he didn’t play the opening match in 2022. Also, he is the player who played the most minutes for Argentina at the last World Cup.”
“I mean, he’s got loads of records and achievements, and they’ll help his career continue at top clubs. When you play for Liverpool and want to maintain that same level, you know there are only six or seven teams in the world you can play for.”
That sounds like a man who knows his son has options. But Carlos was just as keen to make clear they aren’t shopping around while he’s still at Liverpool.
Liverpool deserve respect – And remain the only focus
For all the uncertainty, the Mac Allister family aren’t publicly entertaining moves elsewhere.
“Right now, we only talk about and focus on Liverpool. That’s the respect the institution deserves and Liverpool fans deserve.”
“You can’t be at one club and talk about others. When you’re at a club, you have to give the institution the respect and importance it deserves.”
“Today we’re talking about Liverpool, one of the biggest clubs in the world, but whatever the club, you can’t disrespect those who signed you, showed interest in you and made a very significant financial investment.”
“We always talk about Liverpool, the passion of representing the club, the dream of winning trophies, and nothing else.”
Carlos isn’t denying that his son could eventually move, but he doesn’t want to spend his time discussing potential destinations. And he says Alexis isn’t losing any sleep over the situation either.
“He’s in a good place mentally because a player has to understand he only has one great asset: playing well. Every match.”
“The only aim is to play well in the next game, and then the next. When you play well, the transfer market and big clubs open up to you. When you play badly, they close. So he has to think about playing well.”
Carlos also explained why he believes his son is well equipped to handle all this.
“He comes from a family of footballers. Not just because I was a player, but my brother was too. We’ve had a club for 28 years, my nephew is the sporting director of Deportivo Maldonado in Uruguay.”
“I have another nephew who plays in Indonesia, who won the title last year and three million people went out onto the streets.”
“We understand football, we know what the profession is like, so we support each other and help each other, and we don’t let anyone lose their way.”
“The important thing is that he’s at one of the best clubs in the world and playing at an exceptional level. He can’t drop below that.”
Argentina return isn’t on the cards
One thing Carlos was happy to rule out, at least for the foreseeable future, was a return to Argentine football.
Alexis previously played for Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, but his father doesn’t see him heading back home anytime soon.
“I don’t think any Argentine club today is thinking that Alexis, Enzo Fernández or Julián Álvarez could play in Argentina next year.
“He’s aware that his future is still in Europe. He’s only just turned 27.”
Well, Mac Allister’s contract runs until 2028, and his father has now confirmed there’s been no movement towards an extension. The possibility of something happening before the end of 2026 is there, although Carlos hasn’t promised negotiations will begin.
Meanwhile, the midfielder is doing his bit on the pitch. Alexis seems happy at Liverpool, respects the club and wants to keep playing at the highest level. So if a new deal comes along, great. If it doesn’t, they’ll deal with that too.
