Alexis Mac Allister continued his improvement this season with a headed goal during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Argentine has bounced back from a poor campaign last time out to return to being one of the Reds’ key players, and is now one of the first names on the teamsheet under Andoni Iraola.

Mac Allister’s renaissance comes against the backdrop of a contract situation which looks likely to end with him leaving Liverpool next season. The Reds did not offer the 27-year-old a new deal over the summer, despite agreeing terms with both Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, leading to Mac Allister publicly declaring his ‘sadness’ in September.

Since then, the No. 10 has been brilliant, and after scoring his fifth goal of the season at Selhurst Park, he spoke to the Spanish press to put more pressure on the Liverpool owners to hand him a contract extension.

Mac Allister still hopeful of contract renewal

On this form, there is little question that Liverpool would be fools to sell Mac Allister. Nevertheless, as he approaches the last 18 months of his agreement, it seems fairly likely that the former Brighton man will be flogged next summer.

If he can keep going in the right direction, however, a change is still possible. That certainly seems to be what Mac Allister is hoping for, and he told AS after Sunday’s game that he is going to give it his all to make the Liverpool board change their stance.

“There’s still time,” he said in regards to his contract situation. “The fans don’t need to worry. It’s going to depend on how I perform during these years. I’m going to give 100% and, hopefully, maybe they (the board) will change their minds.

“I had some very good years at Liverpool. I remember the year we won the Premier League , which was a very good year. Also, the first year with Jurgen (Klopp), playing perhaps in a new position I wasn’t used to. Overall, apart from last year, they were very good years.”

Mac Allister was also asked if him going public with his contract issues in September had been a turning point for him, something the midfielder strongly denied.

“I don’t see it that way, honestly,” he answered. “I always gave my all, I fought hard, and I had this mentality of attacking every match in the best way possible.

“Perhaps it’s more noticeable these days because I’m scoring goals and because of the team’s situation, but I’ve always said that I’m the same person and the same player. That’s not going to change. The important thing is that I’m playing well, that I feel good, and that I hope I can continue like this.”