Andoni Iraola has reaffirmed his desire to keep Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson at Liverpool as he prepares for his first season in charge, while admitting the squad still needs strengthening with Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Speculation over Mac Allister’s future intensified after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, with the midfielder linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Speaking in Chicago at the start of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States, Iraola acknowledged that Alexis Mac Allister is unlikely to be fully fit for the Premier League opener against Newcastle after being granted a post-World Cup break.
However, the Liverpool head coach dismissed concerns over the Argentina international’s future, insisting the 27-year-old, who is under contract until 2028, remains a key part of his plans for the upcoming season.
Iraola said: “I think Alexis has been one of the best players at the club for the last few years, and he has had a very good World Cup, so it is normal that other clubs want our best players. It always happens in other markets.
“But I want to keep my good players. I’m looking forward more to signing new players rather than losing the ones we have here.”
Alisson is another senior player whose Liverpool future has been the subject of speculation, with the Brazil international strongly linked with Juventus at the end of last season.
Although Iraola has yet to meet Alisson or Alexis Mac Allister in person due to their World Cup commitments, he revealed he has spoken with both players and made it clear that Alisson will remain at Anfield for the upcoming campaign.
“I am very happy with the situation we have right now in the goalkeeping area,” said Iraola.
“We have Alisson, we have Giorgi [Mamardashvili]. Now we are going to send Armin [Pecsi] on loan but we have the guarantee of the three keepers here. Freddie [Woodman] played some games last season, I think it is a guarantee for us.
“Alisson is also someone in a changing room that has lots of references, in terms of experience. He is someone that definitely will help us in this process of adaptation of the new signings and the young players.
“We need the references like Virgil [van Dijk], Alisson, Joe Gomez; players that have been here for a long time, and I am sure we will have this help.”
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