£100m midfielder FORCES Richard Hughes into difficult decision | OneFootball

Liverpool’s poor run of form is threatening to spiral into a crisis. The latest knockback for Arne Slot’s side was a weekend defeat to Manchester United.

It was the Premier League champions third successive top-flight loss - and fourth in a row overall following a damaging Champions League reverse at Galatasaray.

Slot will be dearly hoping that some kind of normality is resumed on Wednesday with the visit of Eintracht Frankfurt. But right now no matter what the Dutchman tries he cannot seem to emulate last season’s title-winning form.

Several players are far from their best - captain Virgil van Dijk and legendary goalscorer Mo Salah no exception. There aren’t many Liverpool players right now who can claim to be at the top of their game - with the midfield now rapidly coming under scrutiny.

Mac Allister causing cause for alarm

No question, Dominik Szoboszlai has been among Liverpool’s most consistent players this season but he isn’t always getting opportunities in his favourite position.

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Instead he has been used as Slot’s problem solver - at No6, No8, No10 and even right back. Elsewhere Ryan Gravenberch is now coming off the back of an injury.

And the form of Alexis Mac Allister should be causing Slot alarm.

The Argentina international had a productive international break - scoring twice for the world champions against Puerto Rico - but again looks woefully short for his club side.

Mac Allister far from his best this season

The 26-year-old barely got over the line last season - being substituted in his final two appearances of the league season before sitting out the last two games altogether.

Owing to a muscle injury, Macca did not get a proper preseason either and looked undercooked when he returned for the new campaign.

He hasn’t finished ANY of his seven Premier League appearances so far - and missed out altogether due to fitness issues away at Newcastle.

Mac Allister also hasn’t started either of the club’s Champions League games thus far. In short he does not appear to be the same player he was last season or the season before - when he was signed as a £35m revelation from Brighton.

© IMAGO - Alexis Mac Allister for Argentina

Mac Allister due a new contract

Quite what Liverpool do next over the No10 is crucial. Under contract until 2028, it will soon come time for Richard Hughes to make a decision over his future.

In order to protect their investment in the South American, it would be natural for Liverpool’s decision-makers to consider an extension and an uplift in salary.

But the flip side is being trapped into a long, expensive contract with a player who has entered decline. We must wait and see whether or not Mac Allister’s run of poor form eventually evens out but right now he is giving his employers pause for thought.

On Sunday across his hour or so on the pitch he touched the ball 22 times in total - shockingly low for a midfielder - and completed only 16 passes. Moreover he gave up possession on six occasions.

© IMAGO - Alexis Mac Allister Liverpool

Should Liverpool consider Real Madrid offer?

Liverpool cannot afford to be carrying Mac Allister as a passenger - especially with Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Trey Nyoni waiting in the wings.

And that is why consideration should be given to Real Madrid’s interest - which is expected to materialise next summer. If the Spanish giants decide to make a decent offer, of around £100m, it would be worth mulling over - especially if Macca cannot get his regular form back.

The alternative is contracting him well into his 30s - on bigger wages than his reported £140k per week - and simply hope he gets better.

It’s not quite a tailspin for Mac Allister but he must get back to his best soon or else risk seeing his Liverpool days come to a premature end.