Iraola wants Mac Allister & Alisson to stay with Reds

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has made it clear he wants Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson to remain at Anfield this season, as the club navigates a summer of transition and financial recalibration. Speaking in Chicago at the start of Liverpool’s pre-season tour, the new Reds boss framed the Argentine midfielder and Brazilian goalkeeper as central to his plans, despite the inevitable pull of Europe’s elite clubs.

Iraola’s priority: keeping the spine intact

Mac Allister, now two years into a five-year deal signed in June 2023, has yet to begin talks on a new contract. The gap has fuelled speculation over his future, with Real Madrid repeatedly linked during the World Cup break. But Iraola dismissed those concerns outright, insisting: “I think Alexis has been one of the best players at the club for the last few years, and he has had a very good World Cup, so it is normal that other clubs want our best players.” The midfielder’s leadership in midfield and ability to dictate tempo remain critical to Liverpool’s transition under their new manager.

Alisson, meanwhile, has one year left on his contract and has been repeatedly linked with Juventus. Yet Iraola pointed to the 33-year-old’s leadership as indispensable during a period of squad renewal. “Alisson is someone in the changing room who has lost some references in terms of experience,” he said. “He’s someone that definitely will help us in this process of adaptation of the new signings, of the new players, the young players.” The Brazilian’s experience at major tournaments—including Brazil’s Copa América campaign—further strengthens his case for remaining at Anfield.

Iraola’s stance comes as Liverpool’s ownership explores a £1.35bn sale of a 30% stake to a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, a deal that values the club at £4.5bn. The financial backdrop adds pressure to retain proven performers, even as new signings reshape the squad. While the valuation provides financial flexibility, the club’s ability to fund transfers may depend on the outcome of the stake sale. Iraola’s stated preference for keeping Mac Allister and Alisson reflects his assessment that their presence provides stability amid ongoing squad evolution.

Squad gaps force Iraola’s hand

Liverpool’s pre-season preparations have been complicated by absences. Conor Bradley remains “months” away from fitness after a January knee injury sustained in the Carabao Cup semi-final, leaving the right-back slot exposed. “At the end, if you have a fully fit, healthy Conor Bradley, we are very happy,” Iraola admitted. “Right now he is still a little bit far from returning.” The club’s defensive depth has been stretched further by Hugo Ekitiké’s ongoing absence, prompting Iraola to confirm the need for defensive reinforcements.

Iraola’s comments follow reports that Liverpool are monitoring PSG’s Lucas Beraldo, a move that underscores their search for defensive stability. The pursuit comes amid a reshaped transfer strategy, with Argentina’s World Cup fallout altering the market for South American talent. For now, Iraola’s focus remains on securing Mac Allister and Alisson before turning his attention to incomings, with the club’s transfer activity likely to intensify once those two key decisions are resolved.

Transfer chaos swirls beyond Anfield

While Liverpool seek to retain their core, other clubs are reshaping their squads. Chelsea completed Morgan Rogers’ £117m move from Aston Villa, a deal that highlights the Premier League’s spending power. Manchester United, meanwhile, are weighing options for Marcus Rashford and Manu Kone, while Arsenal and Chelsea compete for Crysencio Summerville. Liverpool’s own pursuit of Yan Diomande has been complicated by Arsenal’s late entry, a reminder of how quickly the market can shift.

The backdrop of financial restructuring at Liverpool adds another layer. With FSG in talks over a £4.5bn valuation, the club’s ability to fund transfers may depend on the outcome of the stake sale. Iraola’s stated preference for keeping Mac Allister and Alisson—rather than framing them as unmovable—reflects his assessment of their importance to the squad’s immediate and long-term plans. For now, the message from Anfield is unambiguous: Mac Allister and Alisson are part of the plan. Whether that plan survives the summer’s transfer turbulence remains to be seen.

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