Liverpool replacement for Alexis Mac Allister has become even clearer after damning comments

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister faces an uncertain future, and Andoni Iraola may have already identified a replacement for the Argentine.

On Tuesday, ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, Mac Allister publicly expressed his sadness at not being offered a new contract at Anfield when teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch extended their deals this year.

"I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract which, of course, makes me very, very sad," the 27-year-old said, with his current terms expiring in June 2028.

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Crystal Palace name asking price for Liverpool target Adam Wharton

Mac Allister had options to depart Merseyside this summer, notably receiving interest from Manchester City before they signed Enzo Fernandez in a record-equalling £125million transfer from Chelsea.

Liverpool's No. 10 hasn't been in direct contact about an extension, but it is perhaps telling that Szoboszlai and Gravenberch were offered new contracts and he wasn't.

The World Cup winner has watched his performances decline since the Reds clinched the Premier League title under Arne Slot in 2025, and it appears Andoni Iraola is already looking for his replacement.

The six-time Champions League winners have a long-standing interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, and according to TEAMtalk, it is 'highly unlikely' that they will be able to hold onto their prized asset after successfully keeping him at Selhurst Park.

Wharton has ambitions of playing regular European football, having helped Palace win the Europa Conference League in May, and potentially sees a switch to Merseyside as the perfect next step for his career.

Interestingly, the 22-year-old has also attracted interest from Newcastle United - who are keeping close tabs on his situation - while he remains on Chelsea's shortlist but behind Lamine Camara and Alex Scott.

Crystal Palace are said to want £75million-plus to consider sanctioning Wharton's exit in 2027, and it is clear he's the perfect long-term successor to Mac Allister if he leaves Anfield.

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How Adam Wharton compares to Alexis Mac Allister

Wharton has emerged as arguably one of the Premier League's best deep-lying playmakers, and the statistics suggest he's a huge upgrade on Mac Allister.

According to FotMob, the Englishman averaged 8.26 line-breaking passes per 90, 0.26 expected assists (xA), and 1.55 chances created in the top flight last season, highlighting his technical quality.

By comparison, Mac Allister had 6.19, 0.06, and 1.18 for the same metrics, suggesting he didn't offer the same output when Liverpool needed a forward-thinking midfielder to drive them forward.

That is one area where the Reds have struggled recently - not being able to control games in the middle of the park - whereas Wharton would be an instant upgrade on Andoni Iraola's Argentine.

The Crystal Palace man isn't just efficient at dictating the tempo for his team, as he's incredible at dispossessing his opponents, averaging 5.8 recoveries to Mac Allister's 3.79 and 10.78 defensive contributions to 7.78.

Crucially, at the age of 22, he's only going to get better, and that is an exciting prospect for any prospective buyer.