Mac Allister admits something was wrong at Liverpool under Slot as Iraola sparks revival

Alexis Mac Allister has become the first Liverpool player to publicly acknowledge the dysfunction that plagued the club’s 2024-25 campaign under Arne Slot, admitting ‘something wasn’t right in the group’ and crediting new head coach Andoni Iraola for turning things around. The Argentine midfielder made the comments after scoring twice in Liverpool’s 4-3 Champions League victory over Valencia at Anfield.

Mac Allister’s brace, combined with goals from Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz, put Liverpool in control before a late strike from Tani Oluwaseyi set up a nervy finish. Liverpool held on to claim all three points and extend Iraola’s unbeaten home record in European competition.

“Last year was a really difficult year for all of us,” Mac Allister said after the final whistle. “It’s clear that I was not at the level and I’m the first one to say — I have no problem. Something wasn’t right in the group and this manager changed it. That’s really important. The way we play, it is quite different — I don’t like to compare, but I’m feeling good right now and that’s what I want, and that’s what I enjoy.”

Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season at Anfield, was sacked after a second campaign that ended in fifth place — 25 points behind champions Arsenal. He was replaced in the summer by Iraola, who had impressed at Bournemouth.

The difficulties of last season were compounded by the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car accident in Portugal alongside his brother Andre Silva. The squad also underwent significant reconstruction, with Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Wirtz arriving while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz departed.

Iraola has made an immediate impact, winning seven of his first 11 matches in charge, drawing three and losing once. Mac Allister’s form has been central to that improvement, and his willingness to hold his hands up over last season’s struggles suggests a dressing room that has moved on with clear eyes.

Liverpool’s fifth-place finish last season was only enough for a Champions League berth via the Premier League’s European coefficient allocation — a detail that underlined just how far the club had fallen from the standards Slot set in year one.