What Changed At Liverpool? Just Ask Alexis Mac Allister

Alexis Mac Allister just gave us the clearest explanation yet for why Liverpool look like a different team under Andoni Iraola, and it has nothing to do with tactics boards or formations. It is about mood.

The Argentine was central to Liverpool’s stunning 4-3 Champions League comeback against Villarreal, scoring twice as the Reds clawed back from two goals down to maintain a perfect record in Europe this season. Liverpool have now won five of their last six matches across all competitions, and Mac Allister was refreshingly candid about where that turnaround has come from.

Something Wasn’t Right, And Everyone Knew It

Iraola arrived from Bournemouth in the summer after Arne Slot’s departure, taking charge of a squad that had just failed to defend the Premier League title and badly needed a reset. Mac Allister did not dance around what had gone wrong before that, admitting something inside the group was off last season and that the new manager has changed it.

He described the way Liverpool play now as noticeably different, praised the coaching staff’s approach, and said the group is heading in the right direction while still needing to work for everything. It is not the kind of quote players hand out lightly, and it tells you plenty about how far things had slipped before Iraola walked in.

Not Tall, But Never Afraid Of The Box

Mac Allister endured a difficult campaign last time out, struggling to produce the influence that once made him indispensable. This season has told a different story. Four goals across all competitions and a string of strong midfield performances have brought him back to his best, and Villarreal saw exactly why.

His header for Liverpool’s first goal and his composed finish for the second, set up by a delightful pass from Rio Ngumoha, showed an attacking instinct that has nothing to do with his height. “I’m not tall but I love going in the box,” he said, only half joking about picking the habit up from his father.

The Contract Question Won’t Go Away

Mac Allister’s current deal runs until the summer of 2028, and he previously admitted feeling low about the lack of an extension offer. Asked about those comments again after the Villarreal win, he softened his tone, insisting it was about his feelings in the moment rather than a demand, and that the decision ultimately belongs to the club.

That leaves Liverpool with a call to make on a midfielder whose stock has risen sharply since Iraola arrived. Three wins from three Champions League group matches gives the club a strong platform in Europe, and Mac Allister’s form is a significant part of why that has happened. Holding onto players who are improving like this should not be a difficult decision, whatever the numbers say.