Alexis Mac Allister has reinforced expectations at Liverpool, declaring there cannot be “transition years.”
Mac Allister knows what it takes to win. Having previously lifted the World Cup and Premier League, the Argentine’s form dipped significantly last season.
However, he began to improve during this summer’s internationals and looks slightly more suited to playing in Andoni Iraola‘s midfield than Dominik Szoboszlai or Ryan Gravenberch.
After Liverpool drew their second game of the season, against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, Mac Allister said he is still aiming for the title and that expectations cannot be lowered, despite a squad many deem unready to challenge.
The Reds have gone behind four times this season and have responded with equalisers on each occasion.
Asked about the team’s mentality on Stan Sport, Mac Allister responded: “It’s good.
“I actually spoke with one of the guys in the coaching staff last week about our mentality when we are losing, which is something very, very positive.
“But as I said before. We are at Liverpool; there is no transition years. You have to win and that’s what we want.”
Andoni Iraola wanted us “on the front foot”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Reflecting on the draw with Forest, Mac Allister commented that Liverpool “were not as aggressive” as Iraola wanted.
Opposition midfielders Xaver Schlager and James McAtee won 73 and 60 percent of their duels respectively, as Dominik Szoboszlai and Mac Allister won just 46 and 38 percent each.
“It’s not the result we wanted, especially at home,” Mac Allister said.
“I think we all could see how much we wanted to win, but it wasn’t enough. We created some chances. They had chances as well which means that we didn’t defend as good as we wanted.
“But there were positive things, negative things and now it’s time to analyse the game and improve the things we didn’t do well.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“First half, we were not as aggressive as we wanted.
“I think the manager wanted us to be on the front foot, press quite high and there were some misunderstandings, which is normal when you start working and playing in a different way.
“But we need results because this is Liverpool and, if we want to fight for the title, we need to start winning.
“We are positive because we see things that we are doing well. We are moving in the right direction in terms of the things the manager wants, but at this time it is not enough.”
Football – FA Premier League – Bournemouth AFC v Liverpool FC
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo arrives before the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 28, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister walks out with a mascot before the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Qarabag FK at Anfield. Liverpool won 6-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Nottingham Forest FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz celebrates on his debut with team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Kostas Tsimikas after scoring his side's second and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)