In a slightly ominous turn of events, Alexis Mac Allister’s father has played down links to Real Madrid — despite the fact that no such rumor had been gaining any significant traction. It’s good news for Liverpool in the immediate term, but some might be a little more concerned now than they were before.

Certainly, there’s no reason why Real Madrid would not be interested in Mac Allister. That’s aside from the fact that it has already spent the last few summers constructing the dream midfield brick-by-brick, denying Liverpool key targets Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham in the process.

But purely in terms of what the Argentine has produced on the pitch, he has invited covetous glances from the rest of Europe’s elite. Now a reigning World Cup and Copa America champion, he has excelled at Anfield at the base of the midfield, showcasing his impressive versatility.

There’s a reasonable case that he was Liverpool’s Player of the Season during the last campaign. Few others produced such consistent performances, as he allayed doubts over the club’s decision not to sign an elite specialist number six.

There’s still a decision for Arne Slot over whether he moves Mac Allister forward or not, but there is no obvious answer. The one thing that is beyond doubt is that the 25-year-old features somewhere in Liverpool’s best XI.

And Slot will get at least one season with Mac Allister. The player’s father has now confirmed as much: “Alexis is performing very well at Liverpool, and this is the important thing to say at the moment,” he told Egyptian publication MSR.

“There are no negotiations from Real Madrid with Alexis, and the player will continue with Liverpool next season. If future offers arrive to sign Alexis, we will discuss them with Liverpool’s management first.”

There were tentative reports in May linking Mac Allister to the serial Champions League winner. But the response from Mac Allister’s father, while welcome, has come somewhat out of the blue.