Andoni Iraola, the newly appointed head coach of Liverpool, has expressed his commitment to retaining both Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson for his inaugural season. He recognizes the need to enhance the squad, particularly as they will be without Hugo Ekitiké and Conor Bradley for an extended period due to injuries.
Just after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, rumors began circulating about Mac Allister potentially moving to Real Madrid. While in Chicago to kick off Liverpool’s pre-season tour in the United States, Iraola acknowledged that the midfielder might not be fully prepared for the Premier League opener against Newcastle due to a holiday following the World Cup. However, he reassured fans regarding Mac Allister’s long-term position at the club, emphasizing that the player, who is contracted until 2028, remains integral to the team’s plans for the upcoming season.
Iraola commented, “Alexis has been one of our standout players for several years, and following his impressive World Cup performance, it’s natural for other clubs to show interest in him. This is a common occurrence in the transfer market. My priority is to retain our key players rather than lose them, and I am more excited about bringing in new talent.”
Alisson’s future at Liverpool has also come under scrutiny, with the Brazilian goalkeeper previously linked to Juventus. Although Iraola has yet to meet Alisson and Mac Allister face-to-face due to their World Cup engagements, he has been in communication with them and confirmed that Alisson will continue with Liverpool next season.
“I am very pleased with our current goalkeeping situation,” Iraola stated. “We have Alisson, and Giorgi Mamardashvili is also with us. We plan to loan out Armin Pecsi, but we still have three reliable keepers. Freddie Woodman played several matches last season, which is reassuring for us.”
“Alisson is a vital presence in the locker room, bringing a wealth of experience. He will assist in the adaptation of our new signings and younger players. We need seasoned players like Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, and Joe Gomez, who have been part of the club for a long time, and I am confident they will provide the necessary support.”
For their US tour, Liverpool has assembled a youthful squad, currently participating in a training camp at Chicago Fire before facing Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday. Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Ryan Gravenberch are slated to join the tour next week, while Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Alisson will begin their pre-season training back at the club’s facilities in Merseyside.
Iraola noted that Liverpool currently has a “very thin” defensive lineup. While Bradley would typically be the first choice at right-back if fit, his recovery from a significant knee injury sustained in January may compel the club to seek reinforcements in the transfer market.
“Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo are nearing a return to group training,” he mentioned. “As for the other injured players, we will need to be patient. Giovanni Leoni is the next closest to returning, but Conor and Hugo are still months away from recovery.”
