Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has said that Andoni Iraola has 'changed' Liverpool after 'something wasn't right' under Arne Slot. The Dutchman was sacked by Liverpool at the end of last season.
Slot was replaced by former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola after two seasons in charge at Anfield. He led Liverpool to the club's second Premier League title in his first season in charge, but couldn't replicate the achievement in his second campaign, despite being heavily backed in the transfer window.
Iraola has taken charge of 11 matches so far, winning seven, drawing three and losing once. Liverpool were in Champions League action on Tuesday night, beating Spanish side Valencia 4-3 at Anfield.
A brace from Mac Allister, along with goals from Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz, put Liverpool firmly in the driving seat. A late strike from Tani Oluwaseyi made for a tense conclusion, but the Reds held on to secure all three points.
After the final whistle, Mac Allister was refreshingly candid about last season, while revealing he is relishing the 'different' style of football being deployed under Iraola.
Speaking to Amazon Prime following the victory, he said: "Last year was a really difficult year for all of us. It's clear that I was not at the level and I'm the first one to say - I have no problem. Something wasn't right in the group and this manager changed it.
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"That's really important. The way we play, it is quite different - I don't like to compare, but I'm feeling good right now and that's what I want, and that's what I enjoy."
Some of the struggles during the early part of last season may have been linked to the squad coping with the tragic loss of teammate Diogo Jota. The forward died in a car accident in Portugal last summer, along with his brother Andre Silva.
The summer also brought significant changes to the squad, with high-profile signings including Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Wirtz arriving at the club. The transfer window also saw the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz.
The Reds wrapped up the campaign in fifth place, with the Premier League's European coefficient securing them the additional Champions League spot available for the current season. They ended up a massive 25 points adrift of title-winners Arsenal.