Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister Set for Liverpool Return as Andoni Iraola Gets Full Squad Boost
Liverpool will have Alexis Mac Allister back in training on Monday. That is the headline, and for Andoni Iraola it matters. Pre-season has been fragmented, the squad has been split by summer commitments, and any new coach wants bodies on the grass, quickly, consistently and without drama.
Mac Allister has been the final absentee after a long 2025/26 campaign that stretched into the World Cup with Argentina. He played a major role in that run, starting almost every game as Argentina reached the final before losing to Spain after extra time. By the time that ended, Liverpool were already deep into pre-season work.
Iraola confirmed the timetable clearly, saying: “We now have virtually our entire squad together, which of course will be very important in the coming days and weeks.
“Victor Munoz, our new signing, joined us at AXA this week having been part of the Spain squad which won the FIFA World Cup last month, as did Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Alisson Becker.
“Alexis Mac Allister, the last of our World Cup players, will link up with us on Monday, also.”
Mac Allister return ends waiting game
That closes the loop on Liverpool’s delayed returns. Aside from injured players, Mac Allister was the only senior figure still outstanding. In practical terms, that gives Iraola what he has badly needed, a near-complete group before the final stretch of pre-season and before competitive football begins.
Liverpool’s summer so far has involved a US tour, three friendlies, and plenty of minutes for a mixed group of senior players and academy prospects. That has value, but it is not ideal preparation for a coach trying to establish authority, shape and rhythm. A player like Mac Allister helps with all three. He is reliable in possession, tactically disciplined, and experienced enough to accelerate work around him.
Andoni Iraola needs midfield clarity
The timing matters beyond simple availability. There has been background noise over Mac Allister’s future, largely because he is into the final two years of his Liverpool contract. That sort of situation invites speculation, and pre-season absences, even justified ones, tend to feed it.
Photo: IMAGO
Dominik Szoboszlai had already moved to shut down one small flare-up after his wording created confusion. He later clarified the situation bluntly, saying: “That’s my English, guys. It’s not ‘if’ – it’s ‘when’ he comes back,” Szoboszlai claimed. “So now I make it clear. He’s coming back, and he’s going to be part of the team as much as I know.”
That should have ended the debate. Iraola’s update certainly does.
Liverpool midfield boost before season start
The next question is condition, not commitment. Mac Allister will need to be assessed, reintegrated and built up properly after his extended summer. Liverpool will not want to force the issue. Even so, there is a realistic chance he features in the final pre-season game against Como, assuming he comes through the first days of training well.
For Iraola, this is simple. Better players available means better preparation. Mac Allister finished last season strongly, then carried that level into the World Cup. If he returns sharp, Liverpool’s midfield immediately looks more coherent, more competitive and far easier to trust heading into the new campaign.
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