‘Mac Allister’s nose to be put out of joint by Wirtz demand for Liverpool 10 shirt’
Alexis Mac Allister isn’t expected to take kindly to Florian Wirtz’s record-breaking move to Liverpool if an issue emerges over next season’s shirt numbers.
The Argentine has been a key figure during Arne Slot‘s first season in England, featuring in 35 of the Reds’ 38 league matches as the squad lifted the Premier League title ahead of Arsenal.
On the rare occasions that Virgil van Dijk is unavailable at the back, Mac Allister is often seen as a leadership figure amongst the squad, even at the age of 26.
However, the midfield maestro faces a new threat ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with Slot’s side splashing a record £116million on Wirtz [BBC Sport], who has been an incredible player for Bayer Leverkusen.
With 16 goals and 14 assists in 45 appearances last season, it is clear why the 22-year-old wore the No.10 shirt for the Bundesliga giants.
While Wirtz already hit back at rumours of disputes over his shirt number for next season, it could bring about complications for Slot to sort out, or at least Tony Cascarino thinks so.
Alexis Mac Allister to cling onto No.10 shirt at Liverpool
Speaking on talkSPORT (21 June), Cascarino said of the German star: “Will he demand the No.10 shirt? Because, obviously, Mac Allister is the No.10, and that’s an iconic number for Argentina.
“I don’t think he’ll want to give that up too easily, might have his nose put out of joint. I was never really mad about the number, even when I got the No.9 shirt at Villa.
“I didn’t want to be that demanding, saying, ‘that’s mine’ when you walk into a club. Some players do. They absolutely want that number, for whatever reason, they just want it.”
Arne Slot to kick Liverpool into another gear next season
Football Insider verdict
Slot clearly means business this summer, with Wirtz joined by Jeremie Frimpong and Armin Pecsi, hoping to build on the Premier League title won during his very first season in England.
Despite their success in the division, supporters were left wanting more after being knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup at early stages, and losing the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle United.
To improve on last season, the manager is improving the squad already, but with several signings already made, players will need to be sold to keep the team at a manageable size.
Dan Plumley told Liverpool News 247 (20 June) that Andy Robertson could be sold to Atletico Madrid for PSR-related reasons, and it certainly makes sense as Milos Kerkez nears a move to Anfield.
Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota are both expected to leave Liverpool, with Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz, and Kostas Tsimikas being linked with following Trent Alexander-Arnold out the exit doors.
Supporters are bound to see a much-changed starting lineup from the one that Jurgen Klopp spent multiple seasons building, but that is to be expected under new management.