Liverpool continue their pre-season tour in Chicago ahead of their first game against Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday evening. New head coach Andoni Iraola has gained an understanding of how his squad remains short of numbers, even considering the eight players currently missing due to World Cup participation.
Iraola identifies squad needs
Iraola acknowledges a new right-winger and at least one defender are both needed. However, should he choose to revamp his midfield, it is almost certain one of the current senior players would need to be moved on.
Our ECHO writers examine which player that might be.
Mac Allister's value and form
Ian Doyle writes: Alexis Mac Allister is Liverpool's most talented midfielder, has played in the last two World Cup finals, and in his first two years at Anfield placed himself among the best engine-room operators to represent the club during the Premier League era. Last season, though, was a very different story, with Mac Allister among many Liverpool players to fall well short of previous standards.
It's telling that while fellow midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai have signed new deals, Mac Allister, despite being in the last two years of his contract, hasn't even opened talks over a fresh agreement.
In an ideal world, Liverpool wouldn't entertain selling Mac Allister, and Iraola has made clear how much he values the Argentina international. But money talks and, aged 27, Mac Allister is at his peak in terms of resale value this summer. Real Madrid have long been linked, although his father recently dismissed claims a move was imminent.
If Liverpool need to free up space in midfield, either Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo - both in the last 12 months of their deal - appear more likely to be moved on. Neither, however, would command anywhere near the same fee as Mac Allister. It would be with extreme reluctance, but if the Reds decide they need a new high-profile midfielder and believe Mac Allister cannot regain former glories, it may have to be the Argentine who makes way.
Process of elimination
Mark Jones writes: Ultimately this becomes a process of elimination. Any Liverpool midfield revamp isn't going to be kicked into gear by the sale of 33-year-old Wataru Endo, while the Reds won't raise huge amounts were they to offload Curtis Jones given he too is in the last year of his contract.
Dominik Szoboszlai has just signed a new contract and Ryan Gravenberch did likewise four months ago. Whatever the Liverpool midfield ends up looking like, the club want those two players to be part of it. There is also Trey Nyoni, who could be primed for a big breakthrough, and Harvey Elliott, whose value has decimated in the past year, but neither are going to make many waves if moved on.
All of which means the finger ends up being pointed at Alexis Mac Allister, a wonderful midfielder for Liverpool in his first two seasons, but one of many who struggled last campaign. Iraola has been at pains to point out he wants to keep the 2022 World Cup winner at the club, but if the new boss also wants a new face in midfield and is required to lose one of his current ones, then Mac Allister would seem the man most likely.
With two years left on his deal, an impressive summer in the US, Canada and Mexico in the bank, and apparent interest from clubs on the continent, if Liverpool wanted to move him on then the timing is surely right. For now Iraola wants him in his squad, and you can see exactly why.
