The Argentina international spoke to Amazon Prime after Liverpool came from two goals behind to beat Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League on Tuesday. Mac Allister scored twice in the comeback, while 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha provided two assists.
Reflecting on the previous campaign, the midfielder was candid about his own contribution and the problems affecting the team.
“Last year was a really difficult year for all of us. It was clear that I was not at the level. I am the first one to say [that], I have no problem,” Mac Allister said.
He also suggested that the difficulties extended beyond individual performances, pointing to a collective issue that he believes the new head coach has addressed.
“Last year 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.”
Iraola replaced Arne Slot during the summer, bringing a different approach to Liverpool’s defensive work. Mac Allister explained that one of the clearest differences concerns how players track opponents.
“Now it’s more man-to-man. You have to communicate less. Last year, it was more like a zonal thing. I like both. In the national team, we do zonal and it works. It’s about us taking the responsibility. It’s one of the changes. Now it’s easier, you think less but run more.”
The midfielder’s comments followed a match in which Liverpool initially struggled against Villarreal before turning the contest around. His two goals helped complete the recovery, but Mac Allister was also keen to recognise the contribution of Ngumoha, whose direct running troubled the Spanish visitors.
“Rio was fantastic, he made the difference yesterday. Sometimes you talk about players who score goals, but he was really important. There’s no doubt about the quality he has. Everyone knows that. It’s easy to see he’s a really good player. He worked hard without the ball and that’s important as well,” he said.
Ngumoha’s two assists were central to the turnaround, setting up Ronald Araújo before creating Mac Allister’s second goal. The teenager’s performance gave Liverpool another reason to be encouraged by his emergence.
The 4-3 victory extended Liverpool’s winning start in the Champions League league phase. Their next match is a Premier League meeting with Brighton at Anfield on Sunday, 25 October.