Alexis Mac Allister urges his Liverpool teammates to step up and secure their first win under Andoni Iraola ahead of their Premier League clash against Ipswich Town.
Things haven't quite clicked into gear yet for Liverpool under new head coach Andoni Iraola, and the search for that elusive first win continues tonight away at Ipswich Town.
After kicking off the Premier League season with a pair of frustrating 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, the early pressure is firmly on.
Before heading out to Portman Road for Friday night's clash, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister spoke to Sky Sports about the bumpy transition period and what the new manager is asking for behind the scenes:
"It's clear that the results were not what we wanted"
"but I can see improvement in the way we wanna play and in the way Andoni wants to play so hopefully today we can show it. I'm very positive about the team and the game today"
"Hopefully today we can show it"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 4, 2026
Alexis Mac Allister says he sees improvement in the way Liverpool are playing despite the results so far not going the way they want 🔴
Watch FNF live: https://t.co/0AejI4B8dF pic.twitter.com/sPQipU9ZeH
When asked what kind of demands Iraola places on the squad day-in and day-out, Mac Allister offered a refreshingly honest and slightly amusing insight into the training ground routine:
"What is Andoni demanding of you as a group] to run a lot (smiles)! That's the first thing"
He didn't shy away from the team's defensive wobbles either, openly admitting:
"in the last couple of games we didn't defend as well [as we could have], but hopefully today is a good day for us."
And when pressed on the growing urgency to finally secure all three points, Mac Allister added:
" we are not here to ask for patience because we are Liverpool and we know that we have to win and we want the fans to be behind us like they always do "
"its not about asking, it's about showing on the pitch that we have to win, and hopefully today is the day."
The midfield gamble: Why Ryan Gravenberch has been Ddropped
The biggest talking point surrounding Liverpool’s team sheet lately isn't just who is playing, but who is being left out. Ryan Gravenberch, a regular starter for the club over the last two seasons, who even signed a massive contract extension until 2032 back in March, finds himself on the bench for the second consecutive week.
After a difficult opening performance against Newcastle, Iraola has chosen to look elsewhere for stability, partnering Alexis Mac Allister with Dominik Szoboszlai in the central double-pivot. While Gravenberch possesses undeniable technical quality and played a key role in the 2024-25 title-winning campaign, lingering questions regarding his defensive work rate have forced a rethink.
Mac Allister might not be quite as physically imposing, but his relentless willingness to cover ground and tactical intelligence without the ball make him indispensable to Iraola's system. For a player tied down for the long-term, back-to-back omissions are a stark warning that reputation alone won't keep you in the starting XI.
Coping with an injury crisis and defensive shuffle
Iraola’s task hasn't been helped by a mounting injury list. The Reds are currently dealing with long-term absences for Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley, alongside other sidelined figures.
Even with a heavy defensive reshuffle over the summer, young Frenchman Jérémy Jacquet continues to partner Virgil van Dijk at the back, despite being substituted in both of Liverpool's opening two matches as he manages lingering fitness issues following his £60m arrival from Rennes.
Further up the pitch, Víctor Muñoz has seized his opportunity. After smashing home a crucial late equaliser against Nottingham Forest last week, the Spaniard retains his place on the left wing, keeping teenager Rio Ngumoha among the substitutes.
Meanwhile, blockbuster £123m signing Bradley Barcola is named on the bench tonight as he works toward his full debut.
Liverpool Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araújo, van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Wirtz, Muñoz; Isak
Subs: Mamardashvili, Endō, Tsimikas, Barcola, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Koumas, Ngumoha.
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