Alexis Mac Allister scored a thunderous winning goal for Liverpool in a Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid, less than 24 hours after the Argentine midfielder said he was "very sad" that the club had told him they were not in a position to offer him a new contract.
The strike, a shot far easier to skew wide than to finish so cleanly, settled the game in Liverpool's favour on a night that had the makings of a tricky test between Andoni Iraola's team, still finding its feet, and Diego Simeone's well drilled Atletico Madrid side. The win was Iraola's first in the Champions League as Liverpool manager.
Mac Allister had gone public earlier in the week with what he called a truthful message to the club, saying he felt "very sad" after being told Liverpool were not ready to hand him a new deal. He said it was painful to watch midfield teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch sign new contracts while he was left waiting for the club to change their stance on his own future.
Every win in the Champions League is worth £1.8 million in prize money, meaning Mac Allister has already helped pay off a few months of the wages he is hoping to secure in a new deal.
Kop sings for Mac Allister again
The Kop sang for Mac Allister on the night, a chant that was rarely heard last season. He began that campaign with a fitness issue and never appeared to fully recover his confidence, with Liverpool's midfield bullied most weeks and Mac Allister among the guiltiest parties.
Against Atletico Madrid, and previously at Ipswich Town last Friday, he looked back to his best level after a season in which his form dropped significantly. On his day he can combine bulldog-like tenacity off the ball with composure and quality on it, and he showed both traits in full against a club that has courted him over the past year or so.
Contract situation not urgent
There is no need to panic over Mac Allister's future just yet. He still has the best part of two years left on his current contract, and it does not expire imminently. Two strong performances in a week cannot change the fact he will be close to 30 by the time the deal runs out.
Even so, the early signs suggest he is edging back toward the level that saw him ranked among the club's very best players during their Premier League title winning campaign in 2024-25.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard offered some advice for Mac Allister while working as a pundit for TNT Sports. "You let your football do the talking," Gerrard said. "I thought he was outstanding."
"He got an early yellow card that could have affected them, but to come up with a stunning strike and to play with composure and discipline after the yellow card, was outstanding," Gerrard added. "That's the way, speak above, let the football do the talking. Show the experience, show your football, show that you're a top international player, and trust me, this club, they will reward you."
Barcola's full debut
Bradley Barcola set a record within minutes of coming off the bench at Ipswich Town's Portman Road last Friday, clocking the fastest sprint speed recorded in the Premier League this season. He showed similar bursts of pace in his first start and full debut for Liverpool at Anfield, and was unlucky not to score.
Manager Andoni Iraola said after the match that simply having Barcola in a scoring position was pleasing, even though the forward should have converted. Barcola combined well with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, who also put in a strong display, and Liverpool fans will hope that partnership becomes a regular feature.
Iraola's Liverpool fighting for results
The early weeks of Iraola's time in charge have brought more positives than negatives, though some uncertainties remain. What is not in doubt is the team's fighting spirit. Liverpool came from behind to draw 2-2 with Newcastle United, and did the same against Nottingham Forest.
Against Atletico Madrid, a side that fell behind might have wilted last season, but Liverpool fought their way back into the game. At one point in the second half, they created a six-on-two situation in attack. After criticism last season for being dull under Arne Slot, Iraola appears to have made Liverpool fun to watch again.
