Alexis Mac Allister Says Andoni Iraola Has Changed Liverpool’s Football
Alexis Mac Allister has offered a candid assessment of Liverpool’s contrasting seasons, saying new manager Andoni Iraola has reshaped the team and helped him rediscover his best form. After scoring twice in a dramatic 4-3 Champions League victory over Villarreal at Anfield, the Argentine midfielder said Liverpool had struggled collectively last season and described the football under Iraola as “completely different.”
Liverpool dismissed Arne Slot at the end of the previous campaign and appointed Iraola as his successor. The Spaniard has made a promising start, recording seven wins, three draws and one defeat across his first 11 matches in charge. The Villarreal result added another memorable night to that early run—and gave Mac Allister a fitting platform to explain why he feels more comfortable in the new system.
Mac Allister Reflects on a Difficult Previous Campaign
Speaking after the final whistle, Mac Allister did not shy away from acknowledging that his performances had fallen short of his own expectations. He said last season had been challenging for the squad and admitted that he personally had not been at his best.
“Last year was a very difficult year for all of us,” Mac Allister said in an interview with Amazon Prime. “Clearly I was not at my best, and I am the first to admit that. I have no problem with it. There was something wrong in the team, and this manager has changed it.”
The midfielder’s comments point to more than an individual dip in form. His assessment suggests Liverpool’s difficulties were connected to the way the team functioned as a unit, with the balance, confidence or tactical approach failing to bring out the best in key players. Mac Allister did not identify one specific problem, but his words underline the scale of the adjustment he believes has taken place since Iraola arrived.
A Different Style Under Iraola
Mac Allister was careful not to turn his remarks into a direct contest between the two managers. Instead, he focused on the change in Liverpool’s playing identity and the effect it has had on his own enjoyment of the game.
“This is really important. Our style of play is completely different,” he added, as reported by the Mirror. “I do not like making comparisons, but I feel I am in good shape now and this is what I want and this is what I enjoy.”
That distinction matters. A change of manager often brings new training methods, tactical instructions and expectations, but the impact is most visible when players begin to look more comfortable in their roles. Mac Allister’s remarks suggest Iraola’s approach has given him a footballing environment that better suits his strengths and allows him to contribute with greater confidence.
For a midfielder who can help control possession, connect defensive and attacking phases, and arrive in dangerous areas, clarity is especially valuable. When a team’s structure is settled, players can make decisions more quickly and understand where teammates are likely to move. Mac Allister’s improved sense of form may therefore reflect both his own work and a broader improvement in Liverpool’s organisation.
Villarreal Thriller Highlights Liverpool’s Attacking Threat
The 4-3 win over Villarreal provided an eye-catching example of the new side’s potential. Liverpool scored four times in a high-scoring Champions League encounter, while Mac Allister found the net twice. The result delivered three points and entertainment, but the seven-goal contest also showed that there is still room for the team to tighten up defensively.
For supporters, the match offered both encouragement and a reminder of the demands of European football. Liverpool’s attacking output demonstrated their ability to create and convert chances, while conceding three goals kept Villarreal in the contest until the closing stages. Iraola’s next challenge will be to preserve the team’s forward momentum while improving its control when opponents apply pressure.
Mac Allister’s contribution was particularly significant because goals from midfield can change the shape of a match. When a central player threatens the penalty area, opposing defenders must divide their attention between the forwards and late runs from deeper positions. That extra dimension can make Liverpool harder to predict and give the attack more ways to break down organised defences.
What the Early Results Mean for Liverpool
Iraola’s record of seven wins, three draws and one defeat from 11 matches is an encouraging opening, although it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about the season. A new manager’s first results can be influenced by the fixture list, player availability and the time needed to establish a consistent system. The longer-term test will be whether Liverpool can maintain their intensity across domestic and European competitions.
Mac Allister’s comments nevertheless offer a useful indication of the mood inside the squad. Players who feel clear about their responsibilities and enjoy the team’s style are more likely to perform with confidence. His admission that something had been wrong last season is striking, but his belief that Iraola has changed the team suggests the new manager has already made an impression on the dressing room.
The Argentine’s form will be an important part of Liverpool’s progress. His ability to contribute defensively, move the ball through midfield and provide a goal threat gives Iraola several options when shaping the team. If Mac Allister continues to feel settled, Liverpool could benefit from a more influential version of one of their most versatile players.
Upcoming Fixtures and the Next Prediction
Liverpool’s next matches will offer an early test of whether the encouraging start can be sustained. The schedule lists a LaLiga fixture against Valencia on October 25, 2026, followed by a Premier League meeting with Brighton later that day. The quick turnaround will demand careful preparation, particularly after the physical and emotional intensity of a Champions League thriller.
Any football prediction for Liverpool’s next outing should account for both their attacking confidence and the defensive questions raised against Villarreal. Iraola’s side have shown they can score freely, and Mac Allister’s two-goal display adds to the sense that more players are contributing in the final third. However, conceding three goals means opponents may see opportunities to test Liverpool’s back line.
For now, the clearest message from Mac Allister is that Liverpool feel different—and that he is enjoying the change. The results have been promising, the football has given the midfielder renewed confidence, and the Villarreal win supplied a memorable showcase of the team’s attacking possibilities. Whether Iraola can turn that early momentum into sustained success will depend on consistency, balance and how well Liverpool adapt when the toughest tests arrive.
