Why Liverpool were RIGHT not to put a new deal on the table for Alexis Mac Allister... and sprint king Barcola won't be wasteful for long, writes LEWIS STEELE

Given every win in the Champions League is worth £1.8million in prize money, Alexis Mac Allister has already helped Liverpool pay off a few months’ wages in the new deal he so craves.

The Argentine admirably went on record this week with a truthful missive to the club, saying he was ‘very sad’ they had told him they were not in a position to give him a new contract.

He talked about the pain of seeing midfield colleagues Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch get new deals, while he was left waiting by the phone for his employers to change their mind on his own future at the club he says he loves.

Little over 24 hours on from talking the talk, Mac Allister walked the walk and scored a thunderous goal to help Liverpool to a pleasing win over Atletico Madrid.

It was this fine finish – a shot much easier to skew and miskick into the night sky – that propelled Andoni Iraola to victory on his maiden European voyage.

On a night that looked like a potential banana skin between a team in transition and Diego Simeone’s well-drilled unit, Mac Allister settled it in Liverpool’s favour.

Alexis Mac Allister starred and scored the winner as Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid, a day after he cast doubt over his future

Mac Allister expressed his sadness that he hadn't been offered a new contract by the Reds

For that, his and father Carlos’s hands at the negotiating table have been significantly strengthened.

The Kop sang for Mac Allister, a chant that was not aired too much last season. He did start that campaign with a fitness issue and never looked like he had recovered his confidence. Liverpool’s midfield was bullied most weeks and he was the guiltiest party.

But in speaking up publicly, the player perhaps opened the eyes of some fans and reminded them that he is a human after all.

He loves the club and wants to stay, is keen to fight and ready to prove people wrong. That, it seems, has helped the fans turn back on his side.

It was not just the goal that pleased many on Wednesday night but the overall performance. Mac Allister, as he did at Ipswich last Friday, looked back to his best level after a season where his level dipped significantly.

On his day, Mac Allister can play with a bulldog-like tenacity off the ball, typical of an Argentinian midfielder, along with a guise and class on it. He did that in abundance here against Atletico, a club that has courted him over the last year or so.

So does this warrant a change of heart from Liverpool in terms of his new contract?

The first thing to say is that there is no need to panic over his future just yet. After all, he has the best part of two years remaining on his current deal and it is not like it expires at Christmas.

Two strong performances this week cannot change the fact he will be nearly 30 by the time this contract does expire.

But the early signs are promising that he is slowly reaching the level that saw him be regarded as in the very top bracket of players at the club in their Premier League title-winning campaign in 2024-25.

It was a welcome return to form for the Argentine star, who had his name sung by The Kop

Mac Allister was one of several Reds stars to struggle during a tricky campaign in 2025-26

If he continues like this, though, then he absolutely deserves to extend his stay at his beloved Anfield. Nights like this can only help in that regard and club legend Steven Gerrard had some advice for him too.

‘You let your football do the talking,’ said the former Reds captain on TNT Sports. ‘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.

‘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.’

Gerrard is right. The door might be shut right now but it is not locked and he can still convince Liverpool to change their mind. Performances like this certainly will help.

How did Barcola’s full debut go?

Bradley Barcola managed to break records within minutes of coming off the bench at Ipswich’s Portman Road on Friday night, smashing the fastest sprint speed clocked in the Premier League this season.

He showed similar bursts of pace on his first start and full debut at Anfield here, and was unlucky not to open his goal-scoring account.

Had the match ended in dropped points for Liverpool, ire might turn to Barcola’s wastefulness in front of goal. He should be doing better but, as Iraola pointed out after the match, the fact he was in the position was pleasing enough for him.

Barcola combined well with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, who put in a fine display. Liverpool fans will hope that is a sign of things to come. If all three are on song, the possibilities are endless for the Reds this term and beyond.

Bradley Barcola made his full debut for Liverpool and showed several promising signs

Iraola’s boys up for the scrap

The first weeks of the Iraola era have had more positives than negatives. They have had things to get excited about and equally some to worry fans. There are still some uncertainties.

But one thing that is not in doubt is their fighting spirit. They came from behind against Newcastle to draw 2-2, they did the same against Nottingham Forest.

In the situation Liverpool found themselves in here, a goal down against a well-drilled Atletico side, they might have wilted last term. Not any more. They put up a fight and have given fans something to get behind.

And they are exhilarating to watch on the ball, too. In one attack in the second half, Liverpool had a six-on-two situation.

The Reds were criticised for being boring last year under Arne Slot. If Iraola has done one thing, it is to make Liverpool fun again.