Steven Gerrard has voiced his opinion on Alexis Mac Allister's recent statements regarding his contract status at Liverpool, suggesting the midfielder's public remarks were ill-timed.
Mac Allister, speaking ahead of Liverpool's Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid, expressed his disappointment that the club had not yet offered him a new contract. He noted that while teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have signed extensions, his own situation remains unresolved. The Argentinian international also revealed that there were opportunities for him to leave the club over the summer.
"I think this (a new contract) will be the manager's decision at the end of the day," Gerrard told TNT Sports. "The manager probably said to the guys around him: 'Let me have a look at him, see how he plays, can he get back to his first season here when he came when he was terrific?" If he can get that form consistently from now throughout the season then I reckon Liverpool will offer him a new contract and I actually think Liverpool need him."
Gerrard, a former Liverpool captain, added that the club needs another midfielder and is currently thin in that area. "The last thing Liverpool need is to lose a player with Alex Mac Allister's experience and quality, but the timing last night for me, I don't think it was helpful," he stated. "It's one where he needs to knock on the manager's door, talk privately and do it behind the scenes."
Mac Allister himself had commented on his contract situation, stating, "As everyone knows, I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract which of course makes me very, very sad. Because everyone can see I give 100 percent for this football club every single day. In training and games. I can have good games, bad games, like everyone – but I always give my best. I see Dominik and Ryan renew their contracts. That makes me very happy because they deserve it but also at the same time it makes me very sad I didn’t get mine."
He continued, "Of course, there is still time, the fans don’t have to worry because I will give 100 percent until my very last day I am here. We will see what happens. There were options to leave this summer but I think right now I am in the right club."
Mac Allister, who is 27 and has two years remaining on his contract, joined Liverpool from Brighton in 2023. He has played 151 times for the club and was a key player in his first two seasons, though his form in the 2025-26 season coincided with a dip in Liverpool's overall performance under manager Arne Slot. Former Liverpool player Steve McManaman also weighed in, suggesting Mac Allister should have handled the contract discussion privately. "It didn't need to be said in a press conference," McManaman said on TNT Sports. "That was the only disappointing part but I'm with Steven - you're not going to let a player like him at 27... there's plenty of time to talk about a new contract."