Alexis Mac Allister has plainly confirmed that there have been no fresh contract discussions with Liverpool, a statement that arrives amid growing speculation about his future. “In terms of me, we are not in contract talks but I’m not in a rush and that’s only a fact,” Mac Allister told reporters at a press conference before Liverpool face Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Liverpool’s approach to contracts has often involved beginning negotiations around two years before expiry, and the club’s recent handling of other midfielders has drawn attention. Ryan Gravenberch signed a new long-term contract this month, taking his salary to fourth on the club’s payroll. Having joined at the same time as Mac Allister just under three years ago, that deal raises questions over why Mac Allister is not yet in the same process.

Dominik Szoboszlai, another 2023 arrival, has not signed a new contract yet. ESPN reported last month that Liverpool view the Hungarian as a “potential future captain” and are keen to “reward” his form in an otherwise difficult campaign. Talks with Szoboszlai are said to have begun earlier this season.

With roughly two years remaining on many top players’ deals, the timing becomes relevant for both club and player. Two years before the end of a contract is potentially a good time to sell. For Mac Allister, aged 27, whatever contract he signs next ought to be the biggest of his career and the one that defines him. He could stay with Liverpool into his thirties, or pursue a new elite challenge at his peak.

Interest from Real Madrid previously surfaced when Carlo Ancelotti was manager; that initial approach reportedly received an encouraging response from the Mac Allister camp but did not progress. Now that Los Blancos are described as needing a midfield overhaul after opting against replacing Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, the suggestion is they could be interested again.

In November last year, Mac Allister’s father, Carlos, said that while it is important to “respect” Liverpool, there is a need to be “prudent” in the future should an “opportunity” arrive. He also described it as “nice” for his son to be linked with teams like Real Madrid.

Declan Rice has pushed back against what he called disproportionate criticism of Arsenal’s use of set pieces, saying the attention stems from the team doing them well. Rice told The i Paper he found the reaction puzzling. “Everyone talks about it and then everyone does it—so it’s confusing!” he said. “But they’re not doing it to the level that we do it. You can see that when you’re seeing teams take corners. We can still get better and that’s the good thing about it.”

The debate has been heightened in recent weeks. After Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–1 earlier this month in a match that produced three set-piece goals, Liverpool manager Arne Slot criticised the direction of the modern game, insisting it was “not a pleasure ” to watch as he questioned the reluctance to punish excess physicality in the penalty area.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Mathys Tel echoed those concerns during an appearance on ZACK, describing corners as chaotic. “We’re all bunched together, everyone’s pushing, knocking each other to the ground, holding on to each other,” Tel lamented. “Forget it. The goalkeeper can no longer get out, he can no longer see.” He added a broader observation on the league: “I’m going to tell the truth, yes [it’s less exciting]. In the sense that it’s no longer a show, it’s really annoying to watch.

“There are fewer spectacles. There isn’t a Vinicius [Junior] pulling off a sombrero, dribbling past you, or a Kylian [Mbappé] bursting past you. Here, I’d say it’s more structured, maybe too much so, with clear ideas, all the set pieces, little details that can sometimes make the difference. But sometimes you think it might be too much.”

That critique met public defence from Wayne Rooney on his self-titled podcast. Rooney, Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, praised Arsenal’s approach and argued coaches should exploit set pieces. “I’ve heard a lot of people talking about Arsenal and the way they’re playing but I think they’ve been brilliant,” Rooney argued. “The set pieces are part of football—why would you not use it? They put bodies in the box, if teams aren’t clever enough or haven’t got the players to deal with it, why wouldn’t Arsenal continue to do that?

“I would be doing it even more if I was Mikel Arteta. It’s part of the game and I love it. They don’t have to change anything. They maybe haven’t scored as many goals from open play as they would like but they’ve made up for it in other ways. ]

Liverpool manager Arne Slot offered an upbeat assessment after Alisson picked up a problem in training and was left out of the travelling squad. Slot said the decision was taken after the goalkeeper felt something late in the session and staff concluded there was no point in him making the trip. “Unfortunately he felt something towards the end of the session,” Slot explained. “And it was … people looked at it and we decided and he decided together that it wasn’t good enough to play. And then it’s of no use traveling.”

When asked whether Alisson could be available as soon as Sunday’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, Slot added: “There’s definitely a chance, yeah, because we don’t expect it to be a big thing.” The message from the manager was one of cautious optimism while the club monitors the goalkeeper’s recovery.

Liverpool’s squad planning had already included an arrival in goal after they announced a $38.3 million (£29 million) deal to sign Mamardashvili from Valencia in August 2024. The Georgia international, a star of Euro 2024, completed his move to Anfield last summer and was handed opportunities when Alisson suffered an earlier injury in September 2025.

Those opportunities did not produce the required returns. Mamardashvili conceded 10 goals in five Premier League games and has allowed 17 goals in 11 appearances across all competitions. With Alisson available he has been relegated back to the bench and his only appearance since November came in January’s FA Cup third round.

Reports of frustration have followed, but the 25-year-old has stressed patience and hard work. “It is never easy because there is just one goal,” Mamardashvili told club media . “If I don’t play, I don’t mind. I have to work hard every day and that’s it. My time will come for sure. Maybe not this year but my time will come.”