Alexis Mac Allister made a big revelation following Andoni Iraola's changes at Liverpool

Alexis Mac Allister has admitted that things weren’t quite right at Liverpool prior to Andoni Iraola taking charge in the summer. Iraola arrived from Bournemouth in June, replacing Arne Slot as the Reds’ head coach ahead of the new campaign.

It followed the Dutchman’s dismissal at the end of a poor 2025/26 season, where Liverpool failed to defend their title and finished fifth in the league. After a mixed start to the season, Iraola’s side have since notched five wins in their last six games across all competitions, with their most recent victory coming in the Champions League against Villarreal on Tuesday.

The turnaround in form since the Spaniard was appointed appears to be down to several factors, which showcase a very different approach to his predecessor, Slot. Specifically, it took just weeks for the players to notice big differences between the two managers’ styles.

Make sure you never miss the latest Liverpool FC news and opinion by making Liverpool Echo one of your Google preferred sources.

The Athletic reported that players were struck by team meetings being much shorter and more concise now than they were in the two years under Slot. Iraola is said to prefer delivering his tactical instructions directly on the training pitch rather than in a classroom setting.

Furthermore, most of what Iraola relays to them is on the grass. The boss is said to maintain more of a professional distance from the squad away from the pitch, rarely engaging in deep or non-football conversations with players.

Liverpool’s U21s head coach Rob Page publicly commented that Iraola put his "stamp on it straight away", mentioning how there was a clear step up in the physical intensity of the team’s training sessions.

Following Tuesday’s Champions League victory, midfielder Mac Allister backed up the idea that Iraola has changed things for the better. The Argentine, who scored a brace on the night, admitted something had been off in the dressing room under Slot last term, refusing to divulge exactly what but crediting the new manager for the change.

He told presenter Gabby Logan: "Last season something wasn't right in the group and this manager changed it, and that's really important. The way we play is quite different, I don't like to compare but I am really enjoying it.

"From the first day, I started seeing something. He's a nice guy and the coaching staff is too. We are going in the right direction but we need to work and put in everything. Hopefully we can win some trophies."

Mac Allister notably struggled last season but has been in fantastic form under Iraola, netting four goals in all competitions.