Liverpool star admits he would ‘love’ to return to his home country as Anfield exit discussed

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has opened up about his future and his potential return to Argentina, sparking discussions about a possible homecoming after his time in Europe. In an exclusive interview with Spanish outlet La Media Inglesa, the 26-year-old reflected on his career, his time at Liverpool, and his long-term aspirations.

Mac Allister joined Liverpool from Brighton in the summer of 2023 for a fee of around £35 million. Since then, he has become an integral part of the squad, playing a key role in Liverpool’s resurgence under new head coach Arne Slot. While his numbers might not seem spectacular—just three goals in 33 appearances—his influence in midfield has been undeniable.

Despite not being a prolific goalscorer, Mac Allister has built a strong partnership in midfield, particularly with Dutchman Ryan Gravenberch. The duo’s chemistry has allowed Liverpool to dominate possession and control games more effectively. The Argentine’s versatility and tactical intelligence have made him a vital component of Slot’s system.

Wataru Endo, another key midfielder in Liverpool’s squad, recently praised Mac Allister’s impact on the team. Speaking on The Wataru Endo Podcast, the Japanese international lauded his teammate’s all-around ability.

“He’s an amazing player,” Endo said. “He can do everything on the pitch, not only offensively but he defends well to be honest. Sometimes last season he played as a number six as well, and I think he was playing very well. He has a good shot, good passing, and he fights. So, I’m really happy to play with him.”

Endo’s praise highlights just how crucial Mac Allister has been in Liverpool’s midfield setup. His adaptability allows him to play in multiple roles, whether as a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box midfielder, or even in a more advanced attacking position when required.

Despite his growing stature in European football, Mac Allister remains deeply connected to his homeland. The midfielder did not shy away from discussing his long-term future, making it clear that he envisions a return to Argentina at some point.

“Every Argentine player thinks about returning home,” he admitted. “Then there are cases where one starts to think more about family, security, or how the country is. These are personal decisions. I would love to return to my country, I always say it, it is a country that I love.”

Mac Allister began his career with Argentinos Juniors, a club based in Buenos Aires, before making the move to Brighton in 2019. While he has since become a key player on the European stage, he remains sentimental about his roots.

“Beyond the bad things we have, we have many good things,” he continued. “I hope I can return at some point, but it will be in the future.”

His words will no doubt resonate with many Argentine footballers who have taken similar paths. Players such as Carlos Tevez and Juan Román Riquelme have spoken in the past about the emotional pull of returning home, and Mac Allister seems to share that sentiment.

Aside from his future plans, Mac Allister also reflected on the tactical shift under Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp at the helm of Liverpool. The Argentine acknowledged that Slot’s approach is different from Klopp’s, but he believes the team has adapted well.

“I think the main difference is that before we were a very, very direct team and today we’re a team where we try to be a little more patient and a little more possessive,” he explained.

“I think that with the quality of the players we have, with the physical capacity of the players we have, having possession and, at times, being able to rest with the ball has helped us a lot to be fresher.”

Mac Allister’s comments reflect how Liverpool have evolved this season. While Klopp’s teams were renowned for their high-intensity pressing and quick transitions, Slot has introduced a more methodical approach, emphasizing ball retention and structured build-up play.

When asked about Klopp’s departure, Mac Allister did not hide his admiration for the German manager, acknowledging that his decision to leave was difficult for the squad to accept.

“He is a legend,” he stated. “It was sad, but it was his decision, and you need to respect that. It was a difficult season. When you get a new coach, things change, and anything can happen.”

Despite the challenges that come with managerial changes, Mac Allister believes that Liverpool have handled the transition well under Slot’s leadership. He admitted that the club’s current position has exceeded his expectations.

“We were lucky because the club found a great coach,” he said. “Arne is great. We are doing better than people expected. It’s much better than I thought we would do, to be honest. And that’s because of him. He is very strong and ambitious.”

Mac Allister also reflected on the role Klopp played in bringing him to Anfield, crediting both the German manager and former sporting director Julian Ward for making him feel wanted.

“Klopp, along with Julian Ward, were the most important people for me being here,” he said. “They showed great interest in me, and I had a conversation with Klopp before signing. That was very important to know that they really wanted me here and that I would play and be an important part of the team.”

With Liverpool competing at the highest level once again, Mac Allister’s focus remains on delivering success for the club. However, his recent comments about a return to Argentina suggest that he already has a long-term vision for his career beyond Europe.

For now, Liverpool fans can rest assured that the midfielder is fully committed to their cause. But when the time comes, Mac Allister’s homecoming to Argentina could be a story worth following.