Mac Allister ‘very sad’ as Liverpool contract renewal remains unresolved

Alexis Mac Allister says he is “very sad” that Liverpool have not renewed his contract, despite having the opportunity to leave the club during the summer.

The Argentina midfielder’s current deal expires at the end of next season. He was speaking before Liverpool’s opening match in the main stage of the UEFA Champions League, when they host Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday.

Mac Allister confirmed that a possible departure had been discussed during the summer, but said he believes Liverpool remains the right club for him.

“There was an opportunity for me to leave Liverpool this summer, as everyone knows,” he said at his pre-match news conference.

“I received news that the club was not in the right position to offer me a new contract. That, of course, made me very, very sad.

“There was no direct communication with me, only with my agent. I do not want to attribute things to them that they did not say, but what I understood from my agent was that they were not in a position to renew my contract.”

Mac Allister joined Liverpool from Brighton & Hove Albion and has since helped the club win the Premier League. He said his commitment to the team had remained total, even though contract discussions had not produced the outcome he wanted.

“I am very sad. We won the league together and went through difficult times together. I have always given my best,” he added.

“We will see what happens, but of course it makes me sad. Everyone can see that I give 100% for this club every day, in training and in matches.

“Of course, I play some good games and some bad games, like everyone else, but I always give my best.”

The midfielder also referred to Liverpool team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, who have both received new contracts. Mac Allister said he was pleased for them, while admitting that their renewals had also underlined his own disappointment.

“I see Szoboszlai and Gravenberch getting new contracts and that makes me happy because they deserve it,” he said.

“But at the same time, it makes me a little sad because I have not renewed my contract.”

Mac Allister stressed that there was still time for the situation to change and promised to maintain his full commitment to Liverpool until the final day of his current agreement.

“There is still time. The fans should not be worried because I will give everything I have until the last day, and we will see what happens,” he said.

“I had the opportunity to leave in the summer, but I think I am currently at the right club for me.”

He explained that his decision to remain at Liverpool was driven by his affection for the club and his belief that the team can continue to compete for major honours.

“I did not leave Liverpool because it is the right club and I love being here. There is something special here and I feel that we can be successful,” Mac Allister said.

“What I want is to win trophies and I think we have the right players for that, as well as the right mentality to achieve great things. But we have to move forward together and do what we need to do.”