Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that things "weren't right" in the dressing room before Andoni Iraola took charge at the club over the summer. The Argentine international credits the new head coach with changing the group's dynamic and style of play.
Iraola succeeded Arne Slot in June after the Dutchman led Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024/25, but the Reds' defence of their crown went poorly. Under the former Bournemouth boss, Liverpool are starting to look competitive in the league and in Europe, having won all three of their Champions League games so far.
Iraola's Immediate Impact
The Basque coach has only been in the dugout for a few months, but players noticed big changes within a matter of weeks. Reports from The Athletic suggest one of the significant changes surrounds team meetings. Unlike his predecessor, Iraola is believed to prefer giving his players instructions on the training pitch rather than in the classroom.
Liverpool's U21s head coach Rob Page suggested Iraola had put his "stamp on it straight away", highlighting a noticeable increase in the physical demands of the team's training sessions. In addition to favouring the outdoor setting and working on those physical elements, the 44-year-old is said to rarely launch into deep conversations with his playing staff, instead sticking to sporting matters.
Mac Allister's Verdict
Following Tuesday's Champions League comeback win over Villarreal, Mac Allister lent weight to the notion that Iraola has brought about a positive change. The two-goal hero suggested something had not been quite right in the dressing room under Slot last season, stopping short of going into specifics but giving the new boss full credit for turning things around.
He told presenter Gabby Logan: "Last season something wasn't right in the group and this manager changed it, and that's really important. The way we play is quite different, I don't like to compare but I am really enjoying it."
"From the first day, I started seeing something. He's a nice guy and the coaching staff is too. We are going in the right direction but we need to work and put in everything. Hopefully we can win some trophies."
Mac Allister has been in superb form under Iraola, finding the net four times across all competitions. The turnaround is a marked one for a player who often struggled to make his mark during Slot's second season.
