Liverpool's European Bid Under Iraola Amid Contract Noise
Andoni Iraola steps into the Champions League for the first time with Liverpool, and he does it under the full glare of Anfield’s lights and the rumble of contract talk he can’t quite escape.
On Wednesday night, the Spaniard faces a familiar visitor. Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid return to Merseyside in a repeat of last season’s group-stage clash, when Liverpool edged a wild 3-2 at Anfield. Iraola would happily take a carbon copy: chaos, goals, and, above all, three points to launch this European campaign.
Liverpool arrive with at least a little wind in their sails. Their Premier League season finally clicked into gear with a 2-0 win at Ipswich Town, Alexander Isak striking twice to ease early nerves and give Iraola his first competitive victory in charge.
The game at Portman Road also marked the long-awaited debut of Bradley Barcola, the £123million signing from Paris Saint-Germain. His introduction was supposed to be one of the big new storylines of Liverpool’s season. Instead, his week has taken an unexpected turn.
Barcola left off Ballon d'Or list
Barcola’s name was missing when the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist dropped on Tuesday. For a player who lit up Ligue 1 last season, the omission jarred.
The France international, 24, produced 13 goals and 7 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for PSG in 2023-24, form that helped the French champions retain their Champions League crown. Ten of his former team-mates did make the cut, including summer arrival Ferran Torres. Barcola and fellow ex-PSG youngster Desire Doue were two of the most striking absentees.
Liverpool, by contrast, had no one at all in the frame. A flat, trophy-less defence of their Premier League title last season left the club completely unrepresented among the nominees, a stark reminder of how far standards slipped.
Barcola’s omission is a personal snub, but at Liverpool it feeds into a broader theme: recognition, reward, and who gets it.
Mac Allister lifts lid on contract frustration
That tension burst into the open on Tuesday when Alexis Mac Allister sat beside Iraola in the pre-match press conference and spoke with unusual bluntness about his future.
The midfielder admitted he had options to leave in the summer and laid bare his disappointment at the lack of a new deal on the table.
“There was a chance (I could leave), of course, as everyone knows,” Mac Allister said. “I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which makes me very, very sad because everyone can see I give 100 per cent for this football club every single day in training. I always give my best.”
No ambiguity. No hiding behind agents or rumours. Just a key player spelling out that he wanted a new contract, and the club said no.
For a manager trying to build momentum before a Champions League opener, it is the kind of storyline that can easily overshadow tactical plans and team selection.
Iraola, though, chose to narrow the focus.
“For me, the most important thing is that Alexis wants to be here,” he said when asked about the Argentine’s comments.
Pressed on whether he had personally discussed the contract situation with Mac Allister, the Liverpool boss stepped away from the politics and back into his comfort zone.
“No. I try to help all my players,” he replied. “I hope I can improve my players so I can help them win games. Same with Alexis and everyone else. I'm very happy with Alexis and his performances, especially on Friday. I hope I can help him to improve. He's a very good player.”
The message was clear: Iraola will coach, the club will negotiate, and Mac Allister will be judged by what he does on the pitch, not at the bargaining table.
Whether that uneasy balance holds when Atletico’s intensity collides with Anfield’s expectations is another matter.
