Liverpool star has handed Andoni Iraola a ‘massive boost’

Liverpool star has handed Andoni Iraola a ‘massive boost’ Alexis Mac Allister Form Gives Liverpool Major Decision Over His Future Alexis Mac Allister has spent the past few days discussing his Liverpool future. Against Atletico Madrid, he provided another reminder of why that conversation matters. The Argentine scored Liverpool’s winner in their 2-1 Champions League victory at Anfield, continuing what David Lynch believes has been a significant improvement in his recent performances. It came immediately after Mac Allister publicly expressed disappointment about his contract situation, adding another layer to the discussion surrounding his future. Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Lynch admitted his own concerns about Mac Allister following last season are beginning to look misplaced. Mac Allister Starting to Look Like His Old Self Davis highlighted the signs Liverpool have seen across recent matches, telling Lynch: “We’ve seen flashes of the old Mac Allister.” That matters because the midfielder Lynch remembers from Liverpool’s 2024/25 Premier League title winning campaign set an extremely high standard. “He was unbelievable in the season when Liverpool won the league,” Lynch said. Last season created doubts. Lynch explained that he had seen enough across the campaign to wonder whether Mac Allister had encountered a physical problem that would make operating in a midfield two particularly difficult. Now, he is reconsidering that assessment. “He’s absolutely proven me wrong, making me look silly, which is fantastic to see.” Iraola System Helping Liverpool Midfielder Mac Allister has never relied upon extraordinary speed or physical power. His game is built around intelligence, positioning and his ability to understand where the ball is going next. Lynch believes Liverpool’s structure under Andoni Iraola may be helping those qualities emerge again. “He seems to be getting there to press and being in the right positions at the right time more than he ever was last season.” Liverpool are playing more compactly, according to Lynch, with the centre backs pushing aggressively behind the midfield. “It’s making the spaces smaller and making his job easier and making him look like the midfielder he is, which is, we absolutely know when he’s on, an unbelievable player.” That may prove particularly significant when Liverpool assess Mac Allister’s future. Photo: IMAGO Atletico Madrid Performance Sends Liverpool Reminder The winning goal against Atletico Madrid was spectacular, a powerful strike from distance which completed Liverpool’s comeback. Lynch, however, found other elements of Mac Allister’s performance more encouraging. “Defensively he looked very good as well in terms of he was always there to be in the right place at the right time, quick to the press, won a few as well of those and nicked the ball.” Liverpool conceded only 0.25 expected goals during the second half, according to the figures discussed on Media Matters, despite Atletico chasing the game after Mac Allister put Liverpool ahead. For Lynch, Liverpool’s midfield played “a massive role” in establishing that control. Liverpool Future Remains a Major Talking Point The timing makes Mac Allister’s resurgence particularly interesting. Ahead of the Atletico Madrid game, Mac Allister publicly expressed his sadness at not receiving a new Liverpool contract offer and acknowledged that he had considered his options. His response was emphatic, producing the decisive goal and one of his strongest recent performances as Liverpool secured another victory. Lynch’s assessment therefore carries additional significance. “I hope he continues to make those look completely stupid because he’s looked very good so far and he’s looking very good in a two, which I just didn’t think he still had in him.” Liverpool now have performances to evaluate alongside the contractual question. Mac Allister’s future remains unresolved, but his recent football is strengthening his case. As Lynch put it when discussing the midfielder’s revival: “It’d be absolutely massive.” For Liverpool, it could become increasingly difficult to disagree.