Liverpool‘s modern-day Steven Gerrard has returned. It’s been a long time coming, too.
Liverpool haven’t had a proper do-it-all midfielder since Steven Gerrard. There’s a very good reason for that, too – they’re ridiculously rare, especially in the modern game.
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Even those who can do a bit of everything can’t do it anywhere near to Gerrard’s level and in all likelihood, Liverpool will never have a player who can. He’s one of a kind.
But the modern game also doesn’t like players who do everything. It’s more built around specialists who fit together, though we are seeing a bit of a move back towards all-around games in midfield. Declan Rice at Arsenal is a little like that, for one.
Liverpool do arguably have the best modern equivalent, though. A throwback player who delivers whatever is necessary in midfield – including important goals.
The problem has been that he hasn’t shown himself for over a year.
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Alexis Mac Allister is back. Not that he technically went away – but his form this season suggests the last campaign was just a blip.
The Argentine has started phenomenally well, with important goals against both Atlético Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur within the last week. That’s to go along with being the best defensive-midfielder at the club and just simply outperforming his rivals for the position.
It feels like he’s back to the kind of form he hit in late 2025 when Mac Allister was the best midfielder in the Premier League. He was doing things we haven’t seen since Gerrard and eventually earning himself a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.
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Liverpool desperately missed Mac Allister’s best last season, and his drop-off is largely why he has yet to get that new contract. Both Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai did get new deals this year – their teammate has been left out.
But the form he’s in right now is a return to his best and that player absolutely deserves a new deal. A midfielder who can play with anyone, do whatever you need, and holds the team together at times.
Welcome back, Mac Allister.
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