Steven Gerrard believes Alexis Mac Allister deserves a new Liverpool deal for his performances this season.
Mac Allister still has over 18 months left on his current contract at Anfield but expressed his disappointment in September that the club had not made an attempt to negotiate fresh terms over the summer, as they did with fellow midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.
The Argentina international played a key role in his country’s run to the World Cup final in July and has carried on that good form this season after an indifferent 2025/26 campaign.
Former Liverpool captain Gerrard told The Overlap Daily, brought to you by Sky Bet: “I’ve loved him this season. I think last year, like a lot of the Argentinian players, they had a bit of a distraction with the World Cup coming up. It’s the way they are. The World Cup takes over everything in their lives. And I lived that with Emiliano Martínez when I was at Aston Villa. I just think it becomes a priority. I think it becomes a bit of a distraction. It becomes the most important thing in their lives, to be ready and not injured and make sure that the national team is the priority.
“But in terms of what I’ve seen this season, I think Alexis Mac Allister deserves a new deal, and I want Liverpool to keep him, because he’s a clever footballer.”
Mac Allister is ‘fantastic in the air for a little fella’ – former Liverpool captain Gerrard
Mac Allister scored Liverpool’s opener in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace, nodding in Szoboszlai’s free-kick five minutes before half-time.
“He’s a competitor, he’s aggressive, he knows the game, his understanding of the game’s top,” said Gerrard.
“He’s fantastic in the air for a little fella. I think there’s only really Michael Owen I’ve seen, who’s a similar size, who’s probably better than him in the air, but he’s a threat at set pieces. He’s helpful defending set pieces, and he’s brave, and he just knows the game. He’s got a good understanding. He’s an experienced player.
“I wouldn’t want Liverpool to lose him now. I think he’s been key to the midfield, and I felt like Liverpool as a team were a little bit soft in the opening games of the season. I see a bit more fight now and a bit more spirit and a bit more of a competitive side to this Liverpool team. I think we can get better, but I’m happy with Mac Allister and his form.”
‘You have to fancy Liverpool against Manchester United’
Liverpool went into the international break in fourth place in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
They return on November 22 with a home game against a Manchester United side that sit in the relegation zone.
United salvaged a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday thanks to two goals in injury-time, a result that might have prolonged Michael Carrick’s stay at Old Trafford, even though there was a surge of money on Mauricio Pochettino to succeed him over the weekend.
Gerrard added: “The interesting thing on Liverpool versus United is, is it going to be under Michael Carrick? Time will tell. But you’d have to fancy Liverpool on current form. I think that goes without saying. When I watch Manchester United, I don’t fancy them against anyone, because they’re so open.
“Defensively, they look all over the place. So, the big thing is, are Liverpool going to face a United team with a different manager, or is it going to be Michael Carrick’s United? Because I’m not sure Michael and Steve Holland are getting the reaction that they would want out of this team, certainly from a defensive point of view.”
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