Liverpool have had a very strong start to the season, and new manager Andoni Iraola has already made a big impression at Anfield.

The Spaniard took over from Arne Slot in the summer and saw the squad that he inherited become much weaker, with Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott all moving on, while Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo all arrived, alongside Jeremy Jacquet.

The Reds have lost just once in all competitions so far in this campaign, 3-0 against Man City after being reduced to ten men, but outside of that they have been strong and competitive in most games. Now, Liverpool have won seven of their last nine in all competitions, and the manager is beginning to figure out what his best team is.

The defence has a familiar look, with Milos Kerkez and Van Dijk starting regularly alongside summer arrivals Jacquet and Araujo, with Alisson in goal. In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai have been sharing the two deeper midfield roles, with Florian Wirtz the first-choice number ten.

Munoz and Barcola have made the wing positions their own ahead of Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha, while Alexander Isak is the star striker and top scorer. The midfield in particular has been a talking point this season, with Wirtz's inclusion and performances a major talking point.

But the future of Mac Allister has also been questioned too, after the World Cup winner revealed that the club had so far refused to open talks over a new contract with him.

"I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract which, of course, makes me very, very sad.

"Everyone can see that I give my 100% for this football club every single day in training and games. Of course, I can have very good games [and] bad games, like everyone, but I always give my best.

"I see Dominik and Ryan renewing their contracts and that makes me very happy because they deserve it.

"At the same time it makes me a little bit sad that I didn't get mine. Of course, there is still time.

"The fans don't need to worry because I will give my 100% until the last day I am here."

That final sentence has been proven to be true, too, with the Argentina star rediscovering his best form in recent weeks. Mac Allister scored against Tottenham in the EFL Cup, shone against Bournemouth, was excellent against Man City before Gravenberch's red card, and then was key against Brentford, before scoring twice against Villarreal in the Champions League.

Those performances, and his obvious commitment are a result of Iraola adapting his role slightly in midfield, and now the club must seriously consider making a U-turn on their stance, and handing him a new deal at Anfield.

Ward Must Hand Mac Allister a New Deal

Julian Ward was recently appointed as the new sporting director at Liverpool, and he will be tasked with building the squad for Iraola and ensuring the team stays competitive at the highest level.

While there will be plenty of attention on which players he chooses to bring in during upcoming transfer windows, he should also be looking to keep key players. Liverpool have seen several top stars depart for nothing in recent years, and next summer they are likely to lose Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson too, with both of their contracts expiring.

Mac Allister will be entering the final year of his contract at that point, and the club simply can't afford to let a player of his quality move on during his prime years when he clearly wants to stay. He has shown his commitment and quality, and now Liverpool must reward him by going back on their decision and finding an agreement to keep him on Merseyside.

Iraola is a big fan, labelling him as someone who is 'always dangerous', and it would be the perfect solution to their midfield problem.