Stephen Warnock believes Liverpool’s current system is preventing Alexis Mac Allister from consistently producing his best form, despite the midfielder making the decisive contribution in Wednesday night’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid.
The Argentina international struck from outside the area at Anfield to complete Liverpool’s comeback after Marcos Llorente had given Atlético the lead. Dominik Szoboszlai had equalised before the interval, with Mac Allister’s second-half goal handing Andoni Iraola a winning start in Europe.
Mac Allister’s performance came shortly after he revealed his disappointment at Liverpool’s decision not to offer him a new contract. The 27-year-old said he had turned down the opportunity to leave during the summer and insisted he would continue giving his full commitment to the club.
Former Liverpool defender Warnock feels the midfielder’s display against Atlético underlined his importance, but suggested the team’s structure has not always provided him with the right conditions to influence matches.
“I don’t think Mac Allister has to show his importance to Liverpool, I think everyone knows the qualities he has got anyway,” Warnock said, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“We all know the qualities that he has got – he is a World Cup winner, a Premier League winner, we know that he’s a very good player, it is just he has got to be put into the right system to make it work.”
Liverpool tactics continue to shape Mac Allister’s future
Warnock described Liverpool’s approach as “a little bit dysfunctional”, although he believes there have been signs of improvement under Iraola. The former defender expects Mac Allister’s performances to benefit if the team’s midfield balance continues to develop.
“At the moment Liverpool’s system is a little bit dysfunctional but it is starting to get better and he will get better because of that,” he added.
The contract situation is likely to remain a talking point. Mac Allister still has two years left on the deal he signed after joining Liverpool from Brighton in 2023, but his comments have placed renewed focus on whether the club intend to extend his stay at Anfield.
Warnock believes the midfielder’s response will ultimately be judged across the season rather than on one decisive Champions League appearance.
“If he wants a contract and he thinks he deserves a contract then if his performances are good, he will get one,” he said.
For now, Mac Allister has provided Liverpool with an important early-season reminder of his quality. His winner against Atlético Madrid secured three points in the new Champions League league phase, while also strengthening the argument that the Argentina international should be given a settled role in Iraola’s plans.
