Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has praised Alexis Mac Allister as one of the smartest players at his disposal, but admits it is impossible to explain the midfielder's dramatic upturn in form
Andoni Iraola has confessed he cannot account for Alexis Mac Allister's resurgence in form, yet insists the midfielder ranks amongst the most astute players at his disposal at Liverpool.
Mac Allister, in common with many of his Reds teammates last season, suffered a marked decline in performance as the side endured 20 defeats across all competitions in a campaign that culminated in Arne Slot's departure in late May.
Following a summer in which he featured prominently for an Argentina side that reached the World Cup final, the midfielder has become a key figure under Iraola at Anfield, netting twice in Tuesday's 4-3 Champions League victory over Villarreal and also grabbing the decisive goal in last month's 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool head coach Iraola has been thoroughly impressed with how the former Brighton man has adapted to the new regime on Merseyside.
"For me it's impossible [to say what happened last season], because I wasn't here last season," Iraola said, as per the Liverpool Echo. "So we are talking about hypotheses. And he will know better than me, definitely, no?
"What I can say about him is that I'm happy, because his performances have been very good since day one I arrived.
"He arrived [as] the last one from the national team, but straight away took everything, all the information. I think he's smart, understands, you don't need to explain seven times the same things to Alexis.
"Some of the players get things very quickly, get information even from opposition, what we need from each team, from each position..
"And I think he helps a lot also his team-mates, because he understands the overall picture, and it's good to have him on the pitch."
Iraola's side are aiming to clinch a fourth consecutive victory when they welcome Mac Allister's former club Brighton to Anfield on Sunday.
Mac Allister's future at Anfield looks to be up in the air after the midfielder expressed his disappointment at not being offered a new contract at the club, with his current deal expiring in 2028.
"I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which makes me very, very sad because everyone can see I give 100 percent for this football club every single day in training. I always give my best.
"I see Dominik [Szoboszlai] and Ryan [Gravenberch] renewing their contracts because they deserve it, it makes me happy, but at the same time, it makes me sad because I didn't get mine. We went through a lot together. We won the Premier League together, and we went through difficult times together, but of course, [not being offered a contract] it makes me a little sad."
