Alexis Mac Allister has cast doubt over his long-term Liverpool future by revealing his disappointment at not being offered a new contract.
While his midfield colleagues Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch extended their current deals earlier this year, the Argentine midfielder said he has been left in the dark by Liverpool over the decision to not offer him fresh terms.
"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," said Mac Allister, who signed a five-year contract when joining the Reds from Brighton in June 2023.
"Everyone can see that I give my 100% for this football club every single day in training and games. Of course, I can have very good games [and] bad games, like everyone, but I always give my best.
"I see Dominik and Ryan renewing their contracts and that makes me very happy because they deserve it.
"At the same time it makes me a little bit sad that I didn't get mine. Of course, there is still time.
"The fans don't need to worry because I will give my 100% until the last day I am here."
Mac Allister is contracted to Liverpool until 2028, and Reds boss Andoni Iraola attempted to diffuse the situation by insisting "there is still a lot of time" to discuss his future.
With Mac Allister suggesting he had the option to leave Anfield this summer, we take a look at where the 2022 World Cup winner could head next if he decides to leave the club.
Real Madrid
Mac Allister links to Real Madrid surfaced over the summer and although no move came to fruition, the former Brighton midfielder is rumoured to be a long-term target for Los Blancos.
Despite the club's substantial investment, Real still lack a conductor following Toni Kroos' retirement and central midfield is an area they're likely to address in the next summer window.
While Mac Allister is no Kroos replacement, the Argentine's skillset would be suited to Jose Mourinho's system and with one year left on his current Liverpool deal, he'd be available at a reduced rate which would entice the Spanish giants to make a move.
Chelsea
One unsubstantiated rumour in the summer suggested Chelsea were monitoring Mac Allister's availability and the Blues desperately require central midfield reinforcements following the departure of Mac Allister's compatriot, Enzo Fernandez.
Xabi Alonso had to call upon Reece James and Malo Gusto in a midfield pivot during the closing stages of Chelsea's defeat to Arsenal, and the lack of an adequate stand-in for Moises Caicedo could harm the Blues' ambitions this season.
Chelsea have demonstrated they're not afraid to splash the cash and having banked £125m following Fernandez's move to Manchester City, they could be a club that tests Liverpool's resolve.
Atletico Madrid
Real were not the only Madrid outfit reportedly tracking Mac Allister and Atleti boss Diego Simeone is rumoured to be a fierce admirer of the central midfielder.
Atletico are finding it increasingly tough to keep pace with La Liga rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, despite another summer in which they splashed over €100m on the likes of Cristian Romero from Tottenham Hotspur and Morten Hjulmand from Sporting CP.
A player of Mac Allister's calibre would be a marquee signing for the Wanda Metropolitano outfit, although his arrival would likely be too late to appease his Argentina team-mate Julian Alvarez, who's left in limbo after his failed attempt to leave the club.
