Andoni Iraola Opposes Liverpool Selling Alexis Mac Allister This Summer
Andoni Iraola has made it clear he does not want Liverpool to sell Alexis Mac Allister this summer.
In comments relayed by Fabrizio Romano, the new Reds head coach insisted he is focused on strengthening the squad rather than losing key players.
The Argentine international has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, with reports suggesting he offered himself to Los Blancos.
However, Iraola’s stance strongly suggests such speculation is wide of the mark, and that Liverpool are planning to keep Mac Allister as part of their squad.
While an alleged £85m valuation — boosted by his strong World Cup performances — might tempt some to cash in on a player who found last season more difficult, the new manager appears determined to get the best out of him.
Iraola is expected to create a midfield environment that doesn’t overburden Mac Allister, allowing the former Brighton man to rediscover the form that made him so effective during Liverpool’s 2024/25 title-winning campaign.
Liverpool Must Resolve the Double Pivot Issue
A more pressing priority for the club is fixing the work-rate and balance in central midfield.
Under Arne Slot last season, Ryan Gravenberch shifted into a more advanced role, while Dominik Szoboszlai also played higher up the pitch.
Combined with Mac Allister’s more technical, less dynamic profile, this left Liverpool’s midfield vulnerable and frequently overrun.
This cannot be allowed to continue. Whether implementing a double pivot or another system, Iraola needs two players capable of covering ground, cutting passing lanes, and winning the ball aggressively.
The current trio of Mac Allister, Gravenberch, and Szoboszlai played a major role in the 2024/25 title success, so the ingredients may already be there.
However, if any combination struggles to meet the new manager’s demands, Liverpool should look to address it in the transfer window.
