Liverpool
Mac Allister Says Liverpool Future Remains Open After Leadership Changes
Mac Allister has given a fresh contract update as Liverpool’s leadership changes reshape his future.
Alexis Mac Allister has offered a guarded but revealing update on his Liverpool future, suggesting that the club’s recent structural changes could yet shape what happens next. The midfielder admitted earlier that he was “very, very sad” not to be offered a new contract, but now says the picture has shifted since a new leadership team arrived at Anfield.
“Not much to be honest, the situation didn’t change,” Mac Allister told Sky Sports, smiling when asked about his contract situation. “But there’s a new sporting director, there’s a new ownership coming into the club, so everything can happen and we will see.
“Whether it’s this season or next season we will see what happens. But right now I’m just enjoying my football, enjoying playing for this amazing club that is one of the best in the world. And we will see, we will see in the future what happens.”
Mac Allister’s deal runs until the summer of 2028, and after a difficult 2025–26 campaign for both player and club, Liverpool were not expected to rush into extension talks. Yet the 2022 World Cup champion has started 2026–27 in far stronger form, looking more like the influential figure who helped drive Liverpool to the 2024–25 Premier League title.
He credited the current setup for restoring his rhythm. “I feel like we are all connected, more compact” Mac Allister said. “And as I said before, we all know what we have to do. That makes my job much easier, for sure. And when I do well I always speak about my teammates; I think they make my life easier and without them, I would be nothing.
“I only try to speak to them quite a lot, I think it’s important to have the communication. And then on the ball we have a lot of freedom, so I try to do what I like that is having the ball, having the possession, sometimes being direct. There is a lot of things that I think improved my game this season after a really difficult season that we had, but we are all in a very good position right now and hopefully we can keep showing it on the pitch.”
The Argentine has become a regular in midfield over the past month and has five goals already, one short of last season’s total. Manager Andoni Iraola was similarly upbeat about the situation, saying: “The most important thing from that is that he wants to stay here,” Iraola said, via The Guardian . “That is very important. He wants to work hard, he wants to be at his best so he can continue here helping us. A player of that level who has achieved what he has achieved, who can be as clear as that with his intentions, is very good for us because I appreciate him a lot. He’s a top player.”
With his contract unresolved, Mac Allister says his focus is on trophies. “Success at this club is always winning,” Mac allister said bluntly. “We know that the Carabao Cup we are close , but for us the Champions League and Premier League are really, really important.
“We are going to fight for every trophy, FA Cup as well. If we have the chance to win trophies we are going to go for it, and I think we have a coaching staff and a group of players that shows every single game that we want to win.
“That’s being successful for me, for the team. I feel, to have that bond with the fans is already pretty important. So, hopefully it continues like this and we can win some trophies this year.”
Arsenal
Gameweek 9 verdicts: Chelsea edge United, Arsenal stun Liverpool
A full set of Gameweek 9 predictions, including Chelsea vs Man Utd and Liverpool vs Arsenal.
Gameweek 9 brings a stacked Premier League schedule, with several meetings that carry clear weight in the early-season picture. The most eye-catching fixtures are Chelsea against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool’s home clash with Arsenal, while there are also plenty of tight contests elsewhere across the division.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are tipped to come through 2-1 against a Manchester United side under pressure after back-to-back three-goal defeats to Como and Bournemouth. Michael Carrick remains in charge for the trip to west London after talks with Bruno Fernandes and the rest of the squad, but this feels like a critical test. Chelsea have their own issues, yet home advantage and the absence of João Pedro could still matter in a narrow contest.
Bournemouth’s strong run is expected to continue with a 2-1 win over Leeds United. The Cherries have produced a striking sequence of results across multiple competitions, and with Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson supported by Eli Junior Kroupi’s return, they look well placed to extend that momentum.
Other calls point to draws for Brentford against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United against Everton, while Coventry and Sunderland are forecast to cancel each other out. Hull are backed to edge Ipswich 1-0, and Manchester City are favoured to beat Brighton 3-2 in what could be the weekend’s most open game.
Tottenham are projected to keep improving with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, while Aston Villa are expected to defeat Fulham 3-0 after their recent uptick in form. The standout result, though, is at Anfield, where Arsenal are predicted to win 2-1 after Liverpool’s recent consistency meets a team looking to respond after a cup setback. The final matchup, Newcastle versus Everton, is also forecast to finish level.
Barcelona
Araujo future discussion remains premature despite strong Liverpool loan spell
Araújo is thriving at Liverpool, but his agent says it is still too early to discuss a permanent move.
Edoardo Crnjar, the owner of the Excellence Sport agency, has urged caution over any talk of a permanent switch to Liverpool for Ronald Araújo, even while expressing clear satisfaction with the defender’s impact this season.
Araújo, who is on loan from Barcelona, has been one of only three players to feature in all 13 Liverpool matches so far. He has also contributed two goals and proved valuable both at centre back and at right back, which has only intensified speculation that Liverpool could seek to turn the loan into a permanent deal.
Crnjar, however, insisted that any decision remains distant. “Ronald is performing well, and we are very pleased with his contributions,” the agent told winwin . “However, it is still far too early to discuss his future at this stage.
“He feels very good; he is happy playing for Liverpool and pleased to be helping the club and his teammates—just as he has already expressed himself.”
Araújo has already made his own position clear. Earlier this month, he said it is “still early” to think about his long-term future, although he and his family are “very happy” with life in England.
His contract at Barcelona runs until 2031, but Liverpool’s route to a permanent move is straightforward in financial terms. Barcelona inserted a buy-option clause into the deal, believed to be worth €55 million ($61.4 million), so the fee is already known if Liverpool decide to act.
There remains the possibility of Liverpool attempting to renegotiate when the loan ends next summer, in the same way Barcelona approached Marcus Rashford’s future with Manchester United. Even so, the level of praise Araújo has received may make a discount difficult to secure.
Julian Ward, Liverpool’s new sporting director, will ultimately judge whether the 27-year-old is worth the investment. Araújo’s versatility has already been a major asset, although he may not be viewed as a first-choice starter when everyone is fit.
Barcelona
Ronald Araujo’s Liverpool revival has changed the picture completely
Ronald Araújo has turned an uncertain Liverpool loan into one of the season’s standout stories so far.
Liverpool have not always found loan signings easy to trust, which is why the reaction to Ronald Araújo’s arrival in August was measured rather than enthusiastic.
The defender joined on a season-long deal with an option to buy, arriving from Barcelona as club captain but with only 11 La Liga starts in 2025-26 behind him. Once widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in Spanish soccer, his reputation had been clouded by concerns over rash decisions, positional errors and injuries. Many saw the move as a hurried attempt to cover defensive gaps.
Less than three months later, the picture looks very different. Araújo has emerged as a strong candidate for Liverpool’s player of the season so far, having adapted quickly to both right back and central defense. He has started six of the club’s eight Premier League matches and has been praised for his ferocity and commitment.
That edge has made him an immediate favourite with supporters. His style has been described as pure Barclays defending, and social media has responded in kind to “Big Ron”. In Sunday’s 2-0 win over Brighton, he was named Player of the Match after producing a sliding header tackle inside his own box to protect the clean sheet. He won all five of his duels, made 11 defensive contributions and reached 36.3 km/h, reportedly the fastest speed in the Premier League this season.
His impact has not been limited to defending. Araújo already has two Champions League goals and one assist, with the standout moment a backheel for Dominik Szoboszlai in the comeback win over Atlético Madrid. He also made a long pressing run in that match, a sequence that underlined how quickly he has become part of the team’s identity.
The move has also provided a fresh start after his leave of absence from Barcelona for mental health reasons. Jamie Carragher said: “The fans have absolutely fallen in love with him straight away,” and added: “Sometimes you have players like that. They’ve come, they’ve got a bit of a backstory. At Barcelona maybe they were happy to see him go, but the Liverpool supporters opened their arms and gave him a big cuddle, and he seems to be enjoying it.”
Liverpool hold a £47 million option to buy him at the end of the season, though his age means the decision will not be straightforward. Araújo is enjoying the moment for now, but his resurgence has already given both clubs plenty to consider.
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