It seems a long time ago now, but go back to the day that Liverpool sealed the Premier League title under Arne Slot in 2025 and there is a lovely clip of Alexis Mac Allister. As the final whistle goes and the players run on to the pitch to celebrate, Mac Allister sits alone on the bench and starts to cry. That day, when the Argentina midfielder scored a goal, the celebrations inside Anfield registered 1.74 on the Richter scale. Mac Allister was undeniably a force that season and integral to Liverpool's title-winning campaign.
But a year on, after a disappointing campaign that wasn't helped by injury problems, Mac Allister would be the first to admit that the 2025-26 season fell below the standards he had set previously. Inevitably, there were question marks about his future going into the summer, but seeing him play a starring role for Argentina at the World Cup will please new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola. Bar Argentina's last group-stage game, the 27-year-old has played every minute for his country, including 120 minutes against both Cape Verde and Switzerland. Only the keeper, Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, has played more minutes for Argentina.
“Mac Allister impresses at World Cup but may miss start of season; Salah still without a club after Liverpool exit.”
"I feel like maybe the number eight position, also double number six is my best position, but I can play anywhere," Mac Allister told ESPN last month. That versatility will be food for thought for Iraola, who is known to want his midfielders to be all action. Regardless of the result against England in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final, Argentina will be in the United States until the weekend. According to Fifa regulations, players are entitled to at least three weeks off, so anyone who features this weekend will not return to their clubs until 10 August at the earliest, meaning Mac Allister might not be ready to start for the first few weeks of the season.
"It's always about winning," Mac Allister said on Saturday, after Argentina's latest victory. But while Liverpool have a proven winner in midfield, they are still waiting to replace Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward left Anfield at the end of last season, a year before his contract was due to expire. Since then, the 34-year-old has helped Egypt to the World Cup last 16. Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, gave an update on X: "We still do not know where Mohamed will play next season but we may know very soon." Salah himself said before the World Cup: "I am still assessing things. I have time now. I am going to the World Cup and then everything will become clear."
Salah has been linked with a host of clubs. Saudi Arabia has once again been touted as a potential destination, while a move to Major League Soccer has not been ruled out. Sporting Kansas City have emerged as potential frontrunners, albeit the club's president of soccer operations, David Lee, remained tight-lipped: "I'm not going to share anything on individual players... We are interested in really good players." Salah has also recently been linked with Turkish side Besiktas, with reports claiming they have already tabled an offer. That comes just days after Besiktas sealed a deal for former Arsenal star Leandro Trossard for around £15m.
Liverpool have been busy in the market, having sealed deals for Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz, but have yet to fully replace Salah. PSG star Bradley Barcola is among those linked, with the reigning European champions demanding around £128m. For now, Iraola must plan without both Salah and a potentially rested Mac Allister — a test of squad depth that will define the start of the season.
