Alexis Mac Allister threw his future at Liverpool into doubt on Tuesday after revealing his frustration at not being offered a new contract by the English Premier League giants.
Fellow midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have been handed bumper new deals in recent months. Mac Allister, whose contract expires in 2028, said he could have left during the transfer window, but insisted he remains committed to the Reds.
"There were options to leave this summer," the Argentine told a pre-match press conference ahead of Atletico Madrid's visit in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. "I think as everyone knows I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which of course makes me very, very sad."
The 27-year-old added: "I think I give 100% for this football club every single day in training, games.
"Of course, I can have very good games, bad games, like everyone, but I always give my best. I see Dominik and Ryan renewing their contracts and that makes me very happy because they deserve it, but at the same time it makes me a little bit sad I didn't get mine."
Mac Allister, nonetheless, insisted his disappointment would not translate onto the pitch.
"Of course, there is still time; the fans don't need to worry because I will give 100% until the last day I am here. We will see what happens," he said. "But I think right now I am at the right club and I have the right mindset to give my 100% to the club."
Liverpool have seen a number of key players leave on free transfers in recent years after failing to agree new deals.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konaté both joined Real Madrid, while Andy Robertson departed for Tottenham. Mohamed Salah also left for free at the end of last season after agreeing to cut his contract short.
New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola's task has been complicated by the failure to recruit a direct replacement for Salah. But after an unconvincing start in 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, Iraola got his first win in charge with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Ipswich on Friday.
The former Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth boss has never previously coached in the Champions League and believes the visit of Atlético will be a good early-season barometer of where his side are.
"Obviously, it is a special night for me; everyone talks about Champions League nights at Anfield," Iraola said.
"It was difficult for me when I started my coaching career seven or eight years ago to put myself in the position that I am in right now, and I hope I can enjoy it.
"It's a big responsibility, a massive challenge, but I feel privileged to be there in that dugout. It's a massive test for the team overall and I think it will show us a little bit where we are." | AFP
Uefa Champions League matchday 1 results
Tuesday
Club Brugge 2, Aston Villa 3
AEK 1, LASK 0
Porto 0, Man City 2
Real Madrid 2, Inter Milan 1
Dortmund 3, Villarreal 2
LOSC 2, Betis 3
Upcoming fixtures
Wednesday
Barcelona v Feyenoord, 6.45pm
VfB Stuttgart v Viking, 6.45pm
Napoli v Arsenal, 9pm
Liverpool v Atlético Madrid, 9pm
PSG v Slovan Bratislava, 9pm
SCP v Galatasaray, 9pm
Thursday
Fenerbahçe v Roma, 6.45pm
PSV v Shakhtar Donetsk, 6.45pm
Bayern v Bodø/Glimt, 9pm
Slavia Praha v Lens, 9pm
Como v RB Leipzig, 9pm
Man Utd v Sabah, 9pm