Return of the Mac: How Andoni Iraola unlocked the real Alexis Mac Allister, why Argentine is a man transformed this season - and the latest on his Liverpool future after being hurt by contract snub

· DailyMail

After scoring goals three and four of the season against Villarreal, Mac Allister is one strike away from matching last season's tally - with seven months to spare.

Given the amount of trading done at England ’s best-run club, Brighton play against a former player most weeks.

Some get a little clap, some are booed, some prompt no reaction at all – but one always gets a rousing reception, whether back at the Amex Stadium or Anfield: Alexis Mac Allister.

The Argentine is still adored by Seagulls fans and will be welcomed if he goes over to the away end on Sunday. But funnily enough, said affection was not always shared by Liverpool fans.

Not last year, anyway.

In 2026, people demand instant results. From next-day parcel deliveries to managers being sacked after a few bad games, modern life is all about now, now, now.

So when Mac Allister’s form dipped last season, many fans were quick to be vocal in their criticism. The evidence is all over social media.

That is not to castigate those supporters – more to highlight how drastic a U-turn Mac Allister has performed in the last few months.

At the back end of last season, many observers, even those more reluctant to rush to judgment, would not have grumbled had Mac Allister been sold. Now, he is once again the first midfielder on the Liverpool team sheet.

So how has he done it? And does his resurgence warrant a new contract, that he has publicly admitted is not yet forthcoming?

After scoring goals three and four of the season with a brace against Villarreal on Tuesday, the 27-year-old is already just one strike away from matching last season’s tally – with about seven months to spare.

But this resurgence is about much more than Mac Allister's goal-scoring. He looks fitter, sharper and more tactically aware than at any point in the last 18 months.

> ‘Last year was a really difficult year for all of us,’ he told Amazon Prime on Tuesday. ‘It was clear that I was not at the level. I am the first one to say, I have no problem (admitting that). > ‘Something wasn't right in the group. This manager (Andoni Iraola) changed it, and that's really important. The way we play is quite different. I don't like to compare. > ‘I feel good, that's what I want and that's what I enjoy.’

One reason for Mac Allister’s rise is a tactical shift. Last season, Arne Slot followed a zonal pressing structure, whereas Iraola’s off-the-ball system is more man-to-man orientated.

It means his players have to communicate and co-ordinate less, which in turn makes them less susceptible to being played through and picked apart.

There is undoubtedly still a balance issue with Iraola’s midfield and they are played through far too easily – Liverpool have conceded ten goals in their last four games – but it is improving and Mac Allister’s tenacity is helping them win the ball high up the pitch and start attacks.

Mac Allister is winning 5.1 duels per 90 minutes this season and has a duel success rate of 53.2 per cent – up from 4.2 and 46.6 respectively last campaign. He is winning possession 4.7 times per game (up from 3.9) and making more tackles.

On the ball, Mac Allister is taking 2.7 shots per game (up from 1.8 last year), scoring 0.49 goals (an increase from 0.12), creating more chances (1.7, was 1.3) and making more successful passes (46.6 per game, up from 43.5).

Those stats confirm what Liverpool fans have seen with their own eyes.

But Mac Allister's resurgence is about more than tactics. It is also down to physical reasons. Last year, he came into the campaign nursing an injury, missed a lot of pre-season and never really caught up. It felt like he had lost several yards of pace.

Mac Allister, part of the Argentina side who reached the World Cup final, was the last person to report to the AXA Training Centre for pre-season in the summer. He skipped the tour of the United States and had a proper rest.

The World Cup was good for Mac Allister mentally. He regained confidence and enjoyed life in camp with Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez et al.

Atletico Madrid came calling in the summer and Argentine boss Diego Simeone tried to tempt his compatriot to join. Manchester City were mooted as suitors, too. But Mac Allister and his father, Carlos, wanted to stay at Liverpool.

The Reds might have entertained offers had they reached a suitable price but none were forthcoming.

Mac Allister’s desire to stay and prove people wrong came at a time when the club's hierarchy informed him they were not willing to extend his contract, which runs until summer 2028.

The player felt hurt given his midfield partners, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, both penned new deals and Cody Gakpo, who is also 27, renewed until 2030.

Publicly, Mac Allister said he was ‘very sad’ about his deal but vowed to give ‘100 per cent’ until his last day at the club. Ever since that press conference in early September, he has delivered on his word and put in perhaps his best run of form since his first season.

For this reason, the contract issue is not done and dusted. Should Mac Allister continue his impressive form, his hand will be significantly strengthened but Liverpool are realistic that he will be 29 by the time his deal expires. They want more evidence that his resurgence is not just a temporary purple patch.

Right now, though, Iraola is loving his all-action midfielder.

> The boss said yesterday: ‘I am very happy, his performances have been very good since day one when I arrived. He takes all the information and is smart. You don’t need to explain the same things seven times to Alexis. > ‘He is one of the players that understands things very quickly. He gets things from opposition, gets information on what we need to do against each team, what we need from every position. He helps his team-mates a lot because he understands the overall picture. > ‘He is another of the leaders we have. He has experience. He is not as old but he has been involved in top-level games, has won titles for club and country and he has been really good. > ‘Sometimes players play well, other times not so much, but I think Alexis is in a place where he has consistently been playing well. I hope he can stay there.’

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