Liverpool Prepared to Offload Mac Allister as Real Madrid Circle and Reds Face Summer Reshuffle

Liverpool are weighing up a summer sale of Alexis Mac Allister as newly-appointed boss Andoni Iraola prepares to reshape the Anfield squad, according to reports emerging from the transfer market.

The Merseysiders made the managerial switch earlier this month, removing Arne Slot after a disappointing campaign that saw them finish fifth in the Premier League—a stark fall from their title-winning form the previous year. The overhaul is already underway, with Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate having departed, while Mohamed Salah's exit has been confirmed, though his next destination remains unannounced.

Mac Allister, who featured regularly under Slot's tenure, now finds himself potentially expendable as Liverpool seek to generate funds for incoming reinforcements. The midfielder's representatives spoke in May about his current position, with his father and agent stating: "Alexis has a valid contract until June 2028 and so far we are not speaking publicly with any other club. We believe that the club's fans deserve this level of respect from the player. And so far the club has not negotiated with us to renew the contract."

Real Madrid have emerged as the primary suitors for the Argentine, who arrived at Liverpool from Brighton during the summer of 2023. Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke believes the Reds could now be open to a deal, explaining: "Liverpool have to wheel and deal in the market this summer to try and raise some cash to boost their own transfer kitty. Mac Allister is somebody that they could reluctantly cash in on. He still has good value and is a World Cup winner, so if he goes and has a good World Cup again this month, then that'll obviously maybe bring other teams to the table as well. Liverpool, right now, are looking to strengthen rather than weaken the squad, but if they are needing to sell players, Mac Allister could be one of those that could be sacrificed."

The midfielder's stock suffered a blow following Liverpool's 4-2 hammering by Aston Villa late in the campaign. Jamie Carragher, the Reds' legendary defender, was scathing in his assessment of the performance and Mac Allister's conduct during it. After witnessing the midfielder go to ground clutching his face following minimal contact from Ezri Konsa at a corner, Carragher fumed: "He goes down every game with something on his ankle. Get up. How embarrassing is that. What I don't get is, every player up and down the country knows we're going to look at the replays. We all know he hasn't done what you're trying to make out he's done."

Carragher extended his criticism to the team's broader performance, saying: "You're just watching a very ordinary team. I'm not sure what they excel at at all, Liverpool. They don't excel at anything. They're a really, really average team. I can't believe they're fifth in the Premier League."