Andoni Iraola says in-form Alexis Mac Allister is one of the smartest players in his Liverpool squad

Andoni Iraola admits he is unable to explain Alexis Mac Allister's upturn in form but believes the midfielder is one of the smartest players at his disposal at Liverpool.

Mac Allister, like many within the Reds' squad last season, endured a significant dip in output as the team lost 20 times across all competitions in a campaign that ended with Arne Slot losing his job in late May.

After then playing his part for an Argentina squad that ended the World Cup as runners-up over the summer, the midfielder has been an important part of Iraola's team at Anfield, scoring twice in Tuesday's 4-3 win over Villarreal in the Champions League and also registering the winner in last month's 2-1 triumph over Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool head coach Iraola has been delighted with how the former Brighton & Hove Albion man has adjusted to a new regime on Merseyside.

"For me it's impossible [to say what happened last season], because I wasn't here last season," Iraola said. So we are talking about hypotheses. And he will know better than me, definitely, no?

"What I can say about him is that I'm happy, because his performances have been very good since day one I arrived.

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"He arrived [as] the last one from the national team, but straight away took everything, all the information. I think he's smart, understands, you don't need to explain seven times the same things to Alexis.

"Some of the players get things very quickly, get information even from opposition, what we need from each team, from each position.

"And I think he helps a lot also his team-mates, because he understands the overall picture, and it's good to have him on the pitch."

Iraola's side are looking to secure a fourth straight victory when they host Mac Allister's old club Brighton on Sunday afternoon at Anfield.