Game over for Alexis Mac Allister: Preferred midfield successor is named

Liverpool opted against renewing their midfield in summer.

That sector last got a refit back in 2023 - when Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo all formed part of a radical overhaul.

Owing to the departure of Curtis Jones - and to a lesser extent Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic - you can be forgiven for thinking that Andoni Iraola is quite light in the middle third.

Liverpool spend all their money on Gravenberch and Szoboszlai

Trey Nyoni will receive more minutes this season and James McConnell has also been kept around in case he’s needed. Liverpool spent a considerable part of their wage budget on new contracts for Gravenberch and Szoboszlai meanwhile.

The duo is raking in around half a million pounds per week between them - leaving no cash in the coffers for a deal for Mac Allister.

The Argentina international admitted as much last week in an unexpected press conference outburst - confirming that no contract offer had been slid across his desk.

Mac Allister told: No new deal

James Pearce in the Athletic is now claiming that a summer exit was very much on the cards for Mac Allister after the 27-year-old was told he wouldn’t be getting a new deal.

The No10 is under contract until 2028 and it’s only natural to assume that decision-makers at the club wouldn’t want that deal to expire.

Manchester City and Real Madrid were among the teams associated with a move for Macca but both clubs decided to spend their money elsewhere.

Liverpool wanted Lamine Camara to replace Mac Allister

Pearce’s report has also confirmed the name of Liverpool’s preferred Mac Allister successor - Lamine Camara of Monaco.

The 22-year-old was perilously close to a Chelsea move before the window slammed shut - with Liverpool also taking a keen interest in the Senegal man.

“If Alexis Mac Allister had left after being informed that he was not going to get a new contract, then Monaco’s Lamine Camara would have been the preferred replacement,” the report reads.

There is every possibility that this switch could be revisited in the new year - or next summer at the latest. Monaco will be determined to extract every Euro they can for Camara - who has once again started the season in great form.

Under contract until 2029 Camara joined Monaco from Metz back in 2024 for around €15m. With a long contract duration the Principality side are optimistic of gaining top dollar for their star turn next summer.

Liverpool’s focus right now will be on finding a buyer for Mac Allister - by which time they will be able to fund a replacement in Camara.