Liverpool forcing first-XI star out of the club, he wants to stay

Liverpool are forcing a first-XI player out of the club, per reports. This could be a massive mistake.

Liverpool undoubtedly have big decisions to make with the future of first-team players. The squad build isn't complete - and arguably never is - but this is a particularly notable season for it.

And good few senior players are out of contract, for one. The most notable being Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker. Liverpool would need pretty high-profile replacements for both, such is their influence in the team even after nearly nine years.

But expiring contracts aren't all of it. There are also those will enter the final year of their deals - and that forces some major decisions at Anfield, too, as it represents a final chance to get decent money for a player.

Alexis Mac Allister forced out of Liverpool?

Sky Sports Switzerland report that Alexis Mac Allister could leave Liverpool in 2027. The club actually plan to get him gone, it seems, despite the fact he's been public about a desire to sign a new contract.

Mac Allister's current deal runs until 2028. Next year will be the final time to get any money for him and it appears that Liverpool hope to sell the player and then use the funds to buy a replacement.

Again, though, this isn't what Mac Allister wants. That's a real problem, too, as he's been a vital player for Liverpool this season and we'd put renewing his contract up there with Julian Ward's highest priorities.

The Sky report suggests it won't happen. Liverpool committed major money to new contracts for both Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, making it clear that it's those players who they see forming their future in midfield.

Mac Allister always looked quite left out - and reports like this one confirm that. Liverpool made their choice and even if the Argentine wishes his future was on Merseyside, he'll have little choice but to leave for a big contract elsewhere.

He's in a difficult position, after all. Mac Allister will want to agree any contract with a club - including Liverpool - while he's still at the peak of his powers. Doing so after any sort of decline - or at any age closer to 30 - will reduce what he's offered.

Liverpool will know he isn't willing to wait until 2028 to sort things and risk reduced offers. And that, ultimately, will force him out.