Mac Allister says Liverpool had lost their way under Slot

Alexis Mac Allister has said “something wasn’t right” within Liverpool during Arne Slot’s second season, as the midfielder credited new manager Andoni Iraola with changing the atmosphere and approach at the club.

Mac Allister scored Liverpool’s opening goal in their 4-3 Champions League victory over Villarreal on Tuesday, after the Reds had fallen 2-0 behind. Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, he described the previous campaign as “a really difficult year for all of us” and acknowledged his own performances had fallen short.

“It was clear that I was not at the level. I am the first one to say, I have no problem. Something wasn’t right in the group. This manager changed it, and that’s really important.”

The midfielder said Liverpool’s current system differs from the one they used under Slot. Iraola’s team now operates with more man-to-man marking, he explained, whereas the previous approach was more zonal. Mac Allister said both systems can work, but stressed that players must take responsibility.

Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season in the competition in 2024-25. The team then finished fifth the following season and made little progress in the domestic cups. Slot was dismissed at the end of that campaign, with Iraola appointed as his replacement.

Liverpool had lost only one match under Iraola at the time of the report. The club had also avoided defeat in five of six matches in all competitions that season after conceding first, recording three wins and two draws in those games.