Alexis Mac Allister claims Liverpool told him they are not in a position to offer him a new contract, adding it makes him "very sad" to see team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch treated differently. 

Having arrived at Anfield from Brighton in 2023, Mac Allister has helped the Reds win the Premier League title in 2024-25 and the EFL Cup in 2023-24.

Since Mac Allister's arrival, only Virgil van Dijk (114) and Cody Gakpo (109) have played more Premier League games for Liverpool than the Argentine's 108, with only Van Dijk (114) bettering his 94 starts.

But Mac Allister has not been rewarded for his consistency with a new contract, having entered the final two years of his deal.

While saying he was pleased to see Szoboszlai and Gravenberch agree fresh terms earlier this year, the 27-year-old does not see why his contract has not been addressed. 

Asked if he came close to leaving Liverpool during the recent transfer window, Mac Allister said: "There was a chance, like everybody knows. 

"I received the news that the club was not in a position to renew my contract, which of course makes me very sad.

"I think everyone can see I give my 100% for this club, every single day in training, I have good games, some bad games, but I always give my best.

"I see Dominik and Rayan renewing their contracts, which makes me happy. But at the same time, it makes me sad I didn't get mine.

"There is still time, I will give my 100% until my last day. We will see what happens. There were options to leave this summer. Right now, I'm at the right club."

Asked if he had held any direct talks with the Liverpool hierarchy, he added: "Not really, I did not have any direct conversations with them, they were with my agent.

"I don't want to say things they never said, but they said they were not in the position to renew me."

Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch all arrived at Liverpool in the same transfer window, as Jurgen Klopp rebuilt Liverpool's midfield before making way for Arne Slot.

Mac Allister's candid comments came on the eve of Liverpool's opening Champions League game, against Atletico Madrid.

Head coach Andoni Iraola spoke alongside Mac Allister and said his only focus was extracting the best possible performances from his players.

"We all have personal situations with different contracts. The important thing is he wants to be here," Iraola said of Mac Allister. 

"We haven't been together a long time, but he has been an important player and I rate him very highly. There is still a lot of time to talk about those contract situations.

"I try to help my players, I don't know how much they earn. I know how to improve my players, to help them win games. That's the same with Alexis and everyone else.

"I am very happy with his performances, and I hope I can help him to still improve. He is very experienced player who has achieved massive things, but I hope he can develop as a player and if all goes well, those problems will be solved."

Liverpool have won each of their last three Champions League games against Atletico Madrid, though the Spanish side have never lost four consecutive games against a single opponent in the European Cup or Champions League.

Atleti's only two wins over Liverpool in the competition came in the round of 16 in 2019-20 (1-0 home, 3-2 away), with the Reds going unbeaten in the teams' five group- or league-stage meetings (W3 D2).