Alexis Mac Allister found himself in a strong position to apply pressure on Liverpool over a new contract before Atlético Madrid’s visit to Anfield last month, although only in the physical sense of being up on stage to preview the game in front of a mass audience. In reality, the 27-year-old’s negotiating stance was relatively weak. And in fairness to the Argentina international, he has been true to his word in flipping the narrative in his favour ever since.

As the past two Premier League champions prepare to meet at Anfield on Sunday, when Liverpool can narrow the gap on Arsenal to three points with a fourth successive home win in all competitions, Mac Allister’s form encapsulates the impressive improvement of Andoni Iraola’s team. He has become the indispensable part of Liverpool’s central midfield and to an extent that, merely seven weeks on from that headline-grabbing Champions League press conference, it is not only Mac Allister who thinks he deserves a contract extension.

“The fans don’t need to worry as I will give my 100% and maybe they [Liverpool] change their minds,” said the midfielder after expressing sadness over the absence of a new contract offer and a little envy, cloaked in happiness, over the ones awarded to Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch. The following night he struck an immaculate winner against Diego Simeone’s side. He has continued to walk the walk for a Liverpool team that has rediscovered its intensity and started to repair relations with the Anfield crowd as a result. Winning does that.

Iraola said on Friday: “You mention the press conference he had and I was there also, after him. The most important thing from that is that he wants to stay here. That is very important. He wants to work hard, he wants to be at his best so he can continue here helping us. A player of that level who has achieved what he has achieved, who can be as clear as that with his intentions, is very good for us because I appreciate him a lot. He’s a top player.”

A major influence when Liverpool won their 20th league championship under Arne Slot, Mac Allister faded badly in the Dutchman’s second and final season in charge. He was not alone on that score but, despite reminding a global audience of his qualities as Argentina reached a second World Cup final in succession, rumours of an Anfield exit this summer were met with a general shrug of shoulders rather than howls of protest. Liverpool’s stance over a contract that had entered its final two years confirmed they also didn’t consider an extension a priority. The club have also been paying Mac Allister a lucrative salary from the moment he walked through the door in June 2023, having signed him for £35m – below market value – due to a release clause in his Brighton contract.

It was largely overlooked at the time of the Atlético press conference but Mac Allister’s refusal to use a painful groin injury as an excuse for last season’s struggles reflected the character of a winner. “I don’t think that was why,” he said that day, declining the easy option. “I take responsibility because it was not a good season for me individually and for us as a team.”

The midfielder’s sense of responsibility extends to implementing Iraola’s instructions for his new team. Figures from Opta show Mac Allister is winning more tackles per Premier League game this season – 2.3 on average compared to 1.8 last season; winning more duels (4.8 from 3.8); winning more aerial duels (0.9 from 0.6) and winning more possession (5.6 on average compared to 3.8). He is sacrificing the offensive side of his game to bring more aggression and organisation to the defensive aspect, and his touches in the opposition box, chances created, goals and assists are all down on last season as a consequence. Not that Iraola is complaining.

“The thing about Mac Allister is that he understands the game overall, not just the demands of his position,” Iraola added. “It is just what is happening overall in the game. Sometimes he is the first one to correct his teammates, not just the one who is next to him. He understands what is happening around him which is a very important quality to have.”

Last season, and early in the current one as Liverpool adapted to their change of coach, there would have been concern at Anfield over the potential damage an Arsenal midfield of Declan Rice, Bruno Guimarães and Martin Ødegaard could inflict on Sunday. They still might, with Iraola saying his team need to improve “almost everywhere”. But talk of the midfield being frequently overrun has fallen silent during a winning run underpinned by aggression, resilience and intensity. Mac Allister has embodied it all. His negotiating position is strong once again.