Liverpool Under-21s were beaten in dramatic fashion in their Premier League 2 play-off first round clash against Crystal Palace at the Academy on Sunday afternoon

Liverpool Under-21s were beaten in dramatic fashion in their Premier League 2 play-off first round clash against Crystal Palace at the Academy on Sunday afternoon

The Liverpool captain trusts a health and fitness device to help manage his busy football schedule

The Liverpool captain trusts a health and fitness device to help manage his busy football schedule

Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones have impressed at full-back in the last two games but neither will be starting there for Liverpool next season

Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones have impressed at full-back in the last two games but neither will be starting there for Liverpool next season

Adam Wharton was speaking following Crystal Palace's 3-1 Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday afternoon

Adam Wharton was speaking following Crystal Palace's 3-1 Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday afternoon

Barcelona legend Xavi is a big fan of a Liverpool midfielder who has struggled at times this season, with Arne Slot needing to see a bit more from him in the center of the pitch

15:39, 26 Apr 2026

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.(Image: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been picked out for praise by the Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez, amid a season where the Argentine has failed to hit top form.

Mac Allister began the campaign with an injury and hasn't quite gotten up to full speed, though he did get two assists as the Reds beat Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

Signed from Brighton in 2023 when his release clause was triggered, Mac Allister is expected to be a major part of Argentina's push to win the World Cup again this summer — and Xavi is a big fan.

READ MORE: Egypt national team chief reveals how long Mohamed Salah will be out forREAD MORE: Liverpool owners FSG brutally fire manager and five coaches at their other underperforming team

"There’s Pedri, there’s Vitinha, Mac Allister," the Spaniard told Romario on his YouTube channel when he was asked who he enjoys watching in the modern game.

"There are three or four footballers who, for me, are the best because they understand collective football.

"They understand that when they pass the ball, they are thinking about the next play. Not just passing for the sake of passing, no, they are understanding the game. Even Frenkie de Jong, who for me is very underrated."

Alexis Mac Allister before Liverpool's Premier League game against Crystal Palace(Image: (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

Mac Allister has played 51 times for Liverpool this season, though talks are not underway with him regarding an extension to his contract.

Dominik Szoboszlai is viewed as the priority to tie down, with Ryan Gravenberch having penned new terms recently. Mac Allister will be 29 by the time his current deal expires.

"The longer the games go on, the more Mac Allister struggles," Reds legend Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports last month. "I think that’s a real problem for Liverpool that they need to address in midfield.

"Curtis Jones came on (against Spurs) and the game goes end to end. He takes on the Florian Wirtz role and I don’t know why; he’s not that player.

Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kits

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

From $100

LFC.com

See the deal

Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.

Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.

"There’s too much space when the game opens up and Mac Allister can’t cover it."

Since then, though, Liverpool has won three times in a row in the Premier League. Its position in the Champions League spots looks increasingly secure.

Liverpool finishes the season with matches against Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford.

Article continues below

Liverpool.com says: Mac Allister is a very good player at his best, but this season, he has struggled physically at times. It is for that reason that extending his contract might not be the best outcome, even though he has lots of experience and quality.

Adblock test (Why?)

Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk posed alongside a Celtic legend after Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace, with Robertson describing him as the "King of kings"

15:18, 26 Apr 2026

Andy Robertson celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Crystal Palace(Image: AFP or licensors)

Andy Robertson fueled rumors that a return to Celtic could be on the cards this summer after sharing a picture alongside Hoops legend Henrik Larsson.

Robertson will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season after nine largely brilliant years with the Reds.

It has been suggested that the Scotland skipper could return north of the border ahead of the 2026-27 season, finally fulfilling his ambition of playing for the team he supported as a boy.

Robertson spent several years in Celtic's academy but was released in 2009, going on to sign for Queen's Park, before spells at Dundee United, Hull City and Liverpool.

READ MORE: Mark Clattenburg disagrees with Liverpool's Arne Slot over Crystal Palace controversyREAD MORE: Alisson reaction to Freddie Woodman save from Anfield touchline sums up Liverpool goalkeeper

Following Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, Robertson took to Instagram to share a picture alongside Virgil van Dijk and former Celtic star Larsson, along with the caption "King of kings" and a green heart emoji.

Former Liverpool player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain recently spoke of how highly Robertson thinks of his boyhood club, after speaking to the left-back ahead of making the decision to join Celtic himself earlier this year.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was a free agent when he joined Celtic in February, and has since scored two goals in 11 appearances for the Glasgow club.

“Yeah, we were very close with Robbo and his family, his mum and dad," Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

"We were next door neighbours for years, so I knew about Celtic and Glasgow, to be honest, from them for years. Robbo makes it no secret what he thinks about this club.

"And yeah, when I was linked, he was the first one who called me and said, ‘get yourself up there now.’

Content cannot be displayed without consent

"But I’m obviously really close with Robbo and his missus and his kids, and my missus is really close with them also, so we get on really well with them."

Article continues below

Although a return to Celtic has been heavily mooted, that is not the only club he has been linked with, with Tottenham also said to remain keen on acquiring his services.

Tottenham attempted to sign Robertson during the January transfer window, but the move did not materialize is Liverpool opted to keep hold of the experienced full-back.

Spurs could make another play to sign him in the summer, although their chances of convincing him to move to join would obviously depend on the North London club retaining its status as a Premier League club.

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper pulled off a string of superb saves on his first start at Anfield against Crystal Palace

Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper pulled off a string of superb saves on his first start at Anfield against Crystal Palace

Mohamed Salah's season could be over after the Liverpool star limped off against Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring injury

Mohamed Salah's season could be over after the Liverpool star limped off against Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring injury

Alexander Isak has endured a difficult debut season at Liverpool following his move from Newcastle, and Jamie Carragher has raised concerns about whether the record signing can turn things around

14:32, 26 Apr 2026

(Image: Sky Sports Premier League)

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has raised doubts over whether Alexander Isak will prove worth his hefty transfer fee at Anfield. The Premier League's most expensive ever acquisition has endured a torrid first season on Merseyside since his move from Newcastle last summer.

The 26 year old Isak scored his fourth goal for the Reds in Saturday's 3-1 home triumph over Crystal Palace. His outing against the Eagles marked his third starting appearance since recovering from the leg fracture he suffered against Tottenham in December.

However, there remains substantial ground to cover before the Swedish forward can be considered to have justified his eye-watering transfer sum. Carragher has expressed significant reservations, noting that in his time at the club, no player who struggled initially went on to succeed at Liverpool.

READ MORE: Alisson reaction to Freddie Woodman save from Anfield touchline sums up Liverpool goalkeeperREAD MORE: Steven Gerrard 'hurt' by Liverpool transfer failure after Arne Slot missed out on two 'bargains'

"[The big-spending summer] hasn't worked," he told the Liverpool Echo. "It might work in the future because I don't think you can judge every signing in the first year.

"But I've said this before; my experience as a Liverpool player, every player who came to the club, I can't remember one who didn't really do much in his first season, and then was a revelation afterwards. Isak hasn't got going. He obviously got the injury, but he didn't look great to start with."

Isak's circumstances are particularly complex, with multiple elements requiring consideration. Arne Slot's side were managing a transitional phase following their Premier League victory last season, and absorbing a wealth of new signings has brought its own challenges.

The striker's leg problem in late 2026 further hampered his opportunities, effectively writing off this season as the team faltered even more in his absence. Given these circumstances, Champions League winner Carragher shared his perspective on the necessary steps for mounting a fresh title bid this summer.

"In terms of what Liverpool need to do next season, well obviously they need to replace [Mohamed] Salah," he added. "I think for me, three players need to come straight into the team."

Alexander Isak of Liverpool(Image: Michael Regan - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)

Article continues below

"You can't go on and buy five players into the team. Liverpool bought a lot of players last summer, so they are not going to buy a load this summer."

The waning performances of Salah and, at times, Virgil van Dijk, alongside Alisson's injury concerns, have occasionally hindered Liverpool's progress. These three figures have been so instrumental to the Reds' recent achievements that it's understandable the squad would struggle when they're either underperforming or sidelined.

Yet it is difficult to blame supporters for feeling that such an excuse only goes so far, given a £446m summer spending spree. And while Isak may be granted some understanding for his underwhelming first season, Liverpool risk presiding over the most humiliating flop signing in Premier League history unless there is a remarkable turnaround next campaign.

Adblock test (Why?)

Fenway Sports Group have released a statement after huge changes at the Boston Red Sox

Fenway Sports Group have released a statement after huge changes at the Boston Red Sox

Jamie Carragher has called out one factor relating to Alexander Isak's progress at Liverpool that he believes could become a major issue

Jamie Carragher has called out one factor relating to Alexander Isak's progress at Liverpool that he believes could become a major issue

Virgil van Dijk has spoken about the impact of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz after their starring roles in the Premier League win over Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday afternoon