Alexis Mac Allister has admitted that "something wasn't right" at Liverpool under Arne Slot, with Andoni Iraola coming in and changing it. Slot was sacked from his role in the summer after two seasons with the club.
Title-Winning Start, Difficult Second Season
Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season in charge, but couldn't replicate that in his second campaign, despite a summer of big spending. He was replaced by former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola in June.
Of his 11 matches in charge so far, the Spaniard has won seven, drawn three and lost one. The latest win came in the Champions League on Tuesday night as the Reds came out as 4-3 winners over Villarreal.
Mac Allister's Honest Admission
A brace from Mac Allister and goals from Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz put Liverpool in control. A late goal from Tani Oluwaseyi did make it a nervy finish, but the Reds were able to see out the win.
Following the game, Mac Allister made an honest admission about last season, before adding that he is enjoying playing the 'different' football under Iraola.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the win, he said: "Last year was a really difficult year for all of us. It's clear that I was not at the level and I'm the first one to say - I have no problem. Something wasn't right in the group and this manager changed it.
"That's really important. The way we play, it is quite different - I don't like to compare, but I'm feeling good right now and that's what I want, and that's what I enjoy."
Context of a Challenging Campaign
Some of the difficulty at the start of last season may have stemmed from the squad coming to terms with the death of teammate Diogo Jota. The forward died in a car accident in Portugal last summer alongside his brother Andre Silva.
The summer also saw several changes to the squad with the big-money arrivals of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Wirtz, among others. The summer window also saw the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz leave the club.
The Reds ended the season in fifth place, with the Premier League's European coefficient meaning that they got the extra place available in the Champions League for the current season. They finished 25 points behind title-winners Arsenal.
