Mac Allister reveals Liverpool contract snub left him 'very, very sad' ahead of Atlético clash

Alexis Mac Allister has publicly revealed that Liverpool informed him they could not offer him a new contract this summer, a disclosure that overshadowed the club’s pre-match preparations ahead of their Champions League opener against Atlético Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday.

The Argentine midfielder, speaking at Tuesday’s press conference alongside head coach Andoni Iraola, confirmed he had received interest from other clubs during the transfer window. “There was a chance I could leave, of course, as everyone knows,” Mac Allister said. “I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which makes me very, very sad because everyone can see I give 100 per cent for this football club every single day in training. I always give my best.”

Iraola, asked to respond to the 27-year-old’s comments, was measured in his reply. “For me, the most important thing is that Alexis wants to be here,” the Spaniard said. When pressed on whether he had spoken directly to Mac Allister about the contract situation, Iraola added: “No. I try to help all my players. I hope I can improve my players so I can help them win games. Same with Alexis and everyone else. I’m very happy with Alexis and his performances, especially on Friday.”

The contract uncertainty arrives at a delicate moment for Liverpool, who are building momentum after a 2-0 Premier League win over Ipswich Town — their first victory of the season — and now face Diego Simeone’s Atlético in a repeat of last season’s Anfield fixture, which the Reds won 3-2.

Elsewhere, new signing Bradley Barcola was absent from the 30-player Ballon d’Or nomination list released on Tuesday, a notable omission given the 24-year-old’s productive final season at Paris Saint-Germain, where he scored 13 goals and contributed seven assists across 49 appearances. His former PSG team-mate Desire Doue was similarly overlooked, while the Champions League holders placed ten players on the list, including summer arrival Ferran Torres.

Liverpool’s own trophy-less campaign last season left the club without a single representative among the nominees, a further reminder of the gap the Reds are working to close as their European campaign begins.