Liverpool Cannot Keep Losing Millions, And Mac Allister Could Be Next

I’m starting to wonder whether Liverpool have learned anything from the way we’ve handled player contracts over recent years.

Because here we are again, discussing the possibility of another established first-team player leaving for considerably less than he’s worth.

This time, it’s Alexis Mac Allister.

David Lynch has suggested that a new contract for the Argentine midfielder is unlikely. We don’t know whether that’s because Liverpool aren’t prepared to offer one or because Mac Allister doesn’t want to sign.

That’s an important distinction, and I’m not going to pretend we have the answer.

But what I do know is that Liverpool cannot keep allowing these situations to develop without protecting themselves financially.

We’re constantly reminded that every penny matters at this football club.

Well, if that’s true, why do we keep putting ourselves in positions where valuable players can walk away for next to nothing?

Alexis Mac Allister Deserves A Proper Decision

Let me make something clear. I like Mac Allister.

I’ve criticised him when he’s deserved it, particularly last season when I thought his performances dropped considerably.

There were times when he looked a yard off the pace, and I wondered whether the demands of playing so much football were beginning to catch up with him.

But he’s been much better this season.

He’s looked sharper, more involved and closer to the player we know he can be.

That deserves recognition.

Now, I can understand why Liverpool might be considering a different direction.

Iraola wants energy, athleticism and intensity from his midfielders. Mac Allister is approaching 30, and those regular trips to South America for international duty add another physical demand.

There’s a perfectly reasonable football conversation to be had about whether he’s the right player for the next three or four years.

If Liverpool decide he isn’t, I can accept that.

What I struggle to accept is allowing that decision to drift until his transfer value has fallen dramatically.

He’s under contract until 2028. By next summer, he’ll have only one year remaining.

Why are we allowing ourselves to reach that point again?

Liverpool’s Contract Strategy Is Costing Us

This is what really frustrates me.

Think about Trent Alexander-Arnold. Think about Ibrahima Konaté. Think about Mohamed Salah.

Three enormously important Liverpool players who departed without the club receiving anything approaching their full market value.

Now we’re looking at uncertainty surrounding Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Joe Gomez.

How many times can we keep doing this?

I understand that football clubs need to refresh their squads. Players get older, managers change and sometimes moving somebody on makes perfect sense.

I’m absolutely fine with that.

But surely the sensible approach is to make those decisions when a player still has at least two years remaining on his contract.

That’s when you’ve got negotiating power.

That’s when other clubs know they’ll have to pay a proper fee.

Instead, we seem to wait until everybody knows the clock is ticking, and suddenly we’re negotiating from a position of weakness.

Mac Allister might still command £40 million next summer. That’s my estimate, rather than a valuation from the club.

But imagine what he could have been worth with another year on his deal.

We’re talking about potentially losing millions through poor timing.

And then we’re told Liverpool have to be careful with their spending.

Well, start by protecting the value of the players you’ve already got.

Lamine Camara Cannot Become Another Excuse

We’ve heard plenty about Lamine Camara and Alex Scott.

I rate both players, and I’ve made no secret of the fact that Camara would be my preference.

I think his athleticism and defensive qualities could give Liverpool something we’re currently missing.

Scott is a very good footballer too, and Iraola knows him well from Bournemouth.

If the manager believes Scott is the better fit, I’d listen to him.

But David Lynch has also suggested Liverpool have told Camara to wait.

That concerns me because we’re already short of midfield options, and we shouldn’t have to sell Mac Allister before addressing that weakness.

I certainly wouldn’t sell him in January.

We’re fighting for Champions League qualification, and removing an experienced midfielder halfway through the season would be madness unless an exceptional replacement was already secured.

My preference would be to strengthen in January and make a properly considered decision about Mac Allister’s future in the summer.

If he stays, brilliant.

If he leaves, make sure we’ve planned for it and receive the best possible fee.

That shouldn’t be too much to ask.

Liverpool Must Start Planning Like An Ambitious Club

There are encouraging signs on the pitch.

We’ve won consecutive away games, and Florian Wirtz’s performance against Brentford was extraordinary.

Nine chances created from open play and 13.2 kilometres covered. Those are remarkable numbers.

That’s a player working incredibly hard to make himself successful at Liverpool.

I want to see that same determination from the people making decisions behind the scenes.

Iraola is beginning to get more from this squad, but he’s also dealing with injuries and a demanding schedule.

He needs options, stability and a recruitment department thinking several windows ahead.

The uncertainty around ownership and future investment makes clear leadership even more important.

Whether FSG remain in control or another group eventually takes a greater role, somebody has to take responsibility for these decisions.

Because we cannot keep spending huge sums on replacements while allowing established players to leave at reduced prices.

Mac Allister might stay. He might go.

Either outcome could make sense depending on the circumstances.

But Liverpool need to make a decision before their options disappear.

I want us competing for the biggest trophies, and that requires intelligent management off the pitch as well as quality on it.

Stop leaving everything until the last minute.

Protect the club’s assets, back the manager and start planning properly.

Much Love.