Liverpool still haven’t earned the recognition that their form at the start of this new era may well deserve. It’s early days on Merseyside, though, and Andoni Iraola will embrace the low-key nature of his project.
That in itself may be untrue. After all, how can an attacking formation consisting of no less than three £100m+ players be considered understated? But, all the same, Liverpool don’t seem to be recognised as genuine Premier League challengers to Arsenal or Manchester City right now.
Iraola deserves so much credit. He is embracing youth and fixing players who looked down and out under Arne Slot last year.
Take Alexis Mac Allister, for example, who is resurgent at Anfield, but staring at an uncertain future.
Why Mac Allister’s future at Liverpool is uncertain
Last season, we saw a lesser version of Mac Allister, the midfielder slumping well beneath the high standards he set across two impressive years on Merseyside after joining from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023.
|
Alexis Mac Allister’s Premier League Decline |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
25/26 |
26/27 |
|
Matches (starts) |
37 (31) |
8 (6) |
|
Goals + Assists |
2 + 4 |
0 + 0 |
|
Touches* |
50.3 |
56.1 |
|
Accurate passes* |
33.6 (87%) |
36.8 (85%) |
|
Big chances created |
4 |
0 |
|
Key passes* |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Possession lost* |
7.8 |
10.0 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
0.3 (41%) |
0.6 (56%) |
|
Ball recoveries* |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
Tackles + interceptions* |
2.9 |
3.8 |
|
Duels won* |
3.1 (45%) |
3.9 (52%) |
The improvements have not been drastic, but they have been noticeable enough that Mac Allister has reclaimed his reputation as one of Liverpool’s most important central players, more mobile and convincing in his decision-making.
Against Chelsea, he once again showed his class under Iraola’s management. Mac Allister dispatched his penalty with confidence in the shootout, and he has become an important cog in the machine once again, Liverpool’s most mature midfielder.
However, Mac Allister’s future is still uncertain. He is in the penultimate year of his contract, and with Atletico Madrid having been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, there’s every chance that the decision-makers opt to cash in, with negotiations between the club and the player’s representatives anything but advanced.
It’s a polarising issue, but FSG might fancy a freshen-up in the centre of the park. After all, Mac Allister was utterly terrible throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
A number of names have already been bandied about, and perhaps Liverpool will sign an exciting new midfielder in 2027. That said, it must not hamper the chances of an emerging talent who already looks like he could be a future superstar for the Reds.
Liverpool’s Mac Allister upgrade has arrived
Mac Allister has been a stalwart for Liverpool since arriving several years ago, but perhaps change in the middle of the park would be a good thing for the club. Already, possible replacements have been sounded out, but Liverpool may actually have their dream upgrade playing under Iraola’s eye.
After the win over Chelsea, BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan said, “Trey Nyoni was Liverpool’s most impressive performer“. Considering the midfield duo he was pitted against (Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who Chelsea signed in 2023 despite Liverpool’s formal offers for both), it would appear that Chohan might be onto something.
Nyoni, who is still only 19 years old, joined Liverpool from Leicester’s academy in 2023. He has made steady improvements over the past couple of years, now establishing himself under Iraola and dazzling with his technicality, press-resistance and a sort of maturity which stretches well beyond his years.
He’s an exciting prospect, alright, and already making waves at the highest level for Liverpool. After impressing off the bench against Brighton at the weekend, Nyoni starred against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
At Anfield in midweek, the teenager played more than 81 minutes before being replaced by Mac Allister. He completed 65 passes, making six defensive contributions, winning four duels and recovering four loose balls in a well-rounded display.
Liverpool writer Sam McGuire has even suggested this month that Nyoni “might save Liverpool £100m in the transfer market“, his emergence in midfield speaking toward his potential to become a mainstay under Iraola. Who needs Alex Scott or Lamine Camara (or potentially Mac Allister, for that matter) when you have Nyoni on the roster?.
After the game, the plaudits flew in. Pundit Jamie Carragher was among them, singling Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha out for praise. The future is certainly bright at Anfield, and Nyoni is starting to show that he has the quality, composure and conviction to cement himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Selling Mac Allister next summer would be frustrating, but not the end of the world. Nyoni is emerging as a serious talent, and Iraola is happy to give him the chances needed to grow into his skin over the coming years.
This could be the beginning of “something special“, says Emile Heskey of the youngster. Expect further opportunities for Nyoni in the coming months.
