Liverpool’s midfield has been a focus of scrutiny since Julian Ward’s return as sporting director, but the narrative that Alexis Mac Allister is under an ultimatum to “prove his worth” before earning a new contract is not supported by current reporting.
Ward was reappointed on 26 September 2026, replacing Richard Hughes, who left to join Al-Hilal, and will work closely with head coach Andoni Iraola on squad planning.
Mac Allister, signed from Brighton for about £35m in 2023, is under contract until 2028 and has not been told he must prove his worth to earn an extension.
The Athletic’s analysis of Ward’s priorities lists Mac Allister’s long-term future as one of three key issues to resolve over the coming year, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract and the search for a defensive midfielder, but it does not say the club will sell him without a replacement or that his performances have failed to silence doubts.
The claim that Liverpool are pursuing Aurélien Tchouaméni as a direct replacement for Mac Allister is also unsubstantiated. Reporting identifies a defensive-midfield signing as a priority for Ward, but does not name Tchouaméni as a specific target or link him to a Mac Allister sale.
Similarly, there is no evidence that Curtis Jones has made a “low-cost exit”; he remains a Liverpool player and featured in the 2026–27 squad photo released on 29 September.
Liverpool’s recent form under Iraola has been solid rather than chaotic. The team began the 2026–27 season unbeaten in the league, with Iraola nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month for September after two wins and three goals conceded.
Tyler Adams has noted parallels between Iraola’s early Liverpool side and his Bournemouth tenure, saying the system has not yet “all clicked” but is improving as late-arriving players integrate.
Ward’s remit is broad: he will lead football operations alongside assistant sporting director David Woodfine, chief scout Barry Hunter, FSG’s director of football development Pedro Marques and Iraola’s senior leadership team.
His immediate tasks include contract situations, recruitment in the defensive-midfield area and managing the squad’s evolution after Mohamed Salah’s departure at the end of last season.
In short, Liverpool’s midfield is a work in progress under a new sporting director and head coach, but the suggestion that Mac Allister is on a short leash, that the club will sell him before securing a replacement, or that Jones has already left, is not borne out by the available evidence.
The bigger picture is one of structured transition: Ward is back in place, Iraola’s project is gaining traction, and the club’s priorities are clear, even if the midfield’s ultimate shape remains to be defined.
