National media say same thing about Alexis Mac Allister after Liverpool win

National media say same thing about Alexis Mac Allister after Liverpool win

How the national media reacted to Liverpool's 2-1 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield

Bookmark

Andoni Iraola could be forgiven if he was feeling the pressure of leading Liverpool into his first Champions League campaign as a manager. But the Spaniard is up and running after the Reds came from behind to beat familiar adversaries Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Marcos Llorente continued his remarkable scoring record at Anfield - the 31-year-old now has five goals on the hallowed turf - to give the visitors an early lead, but Liverpool came roaring back with goals either side of half-time from Dominik Szoboszlai and a blistering strike from Alexis Mac Allister, to take all three points on matchday one.

As ever, the ECHO brought you comprehensive coverage of the encounter, with all the post-match reaction and analysis, but what did the national media make of Iraola's first Champions League win? Here's a round-up of what they had to say.

Paul Joyce focused onMac Allister's performance in the wake of his revealing pre-match press conference. Writing for The Times, he said: "Liverpool are not the sort of club to be pressured into decisions by press conference laments, even if there could be no mistaking Alexis Mac Allister’s pre-match message. So it was imperative that the midfielder belatedly let his football do the talking.

"One day after voicing his annoyance at not being offered a new contract, stating he was “very, very sad” at his situation, he was wide-eyed in front of the Kop, elation plastered across his face.

"Should he continue to channel that frustration in such a manner, negotiations will be a formality. A fizzing strike just after the interval completed Liverpool’s comeback against Atletico Madrid and ensured there would be no first-night nerves for Andoni Iraola as he made his Champions League debut as a head coach.

"His campaign, one he hopes will lead him to the final in Atletico’s Metropolitano stadium on June 5, is up and running and there was plenty to like about his side’s refusal to wilt and the commitment to attack."

The Telegraph's Jason Burt pointed to early indicators of team improvements with the new Liverpool boss in the dugout, writing: "There are certainly signs under Iraola, and following a difficult last campaign, that Mac Allister is beginning to rediscover the form he showed during his first two seasons at Liverpool.

"Time and again the 27-year-old made vital interventions, showed aggression and walked the tightrope of a harsh early yellow card. He dovetailed with Szoboszlai and that might be a concern for Ryan Gravenberch – watched by the Netherlands’ new head coach Xavi Hernández – if Iraola persists with this approach.

"Although Mac Allister has two years left on his current deal, the last thing Liverpool need is yet another attention-sapping contract saga, even if he is not the same scale of player as Mohamed Salah orTrent Alexander-Arnold

"For Iraola, after three Premier League games, comprising two draws and a victory over newly-promoted Ipswich Town, this will hopefully be lift off. A big European night at Anfield and coming from behind to beat one of the continent’s heavyweights."

poll loading

Should Alexis Mac Allister be given a new Liverpool contract?

500+ VOTES SO FAR

Yes No

Andy Hunter also covered off the Mac Allister saga in his report for the Guardian, but also recognised the importance of the win for the Reds' new head coach.

He wrote: "For Andoni Iraola, it was the perfect start to life as a Champions League coach after an imperfect start to the game. Diego Simeone’s switch to a 3-5-2 formation caught Liverpool cold and it was only when they regrouped in the aftermath of Marcos Llorente’s latest Anfield goal, and again during the half-time interval, that their performance level improved.

"Mac Allister’s timely moment, Alexander Isak’s relentless industry, Florian Wirtz’s creativity and another performance of drive and intelligence from Szoboszlai ensured the Liverpool head coach had plenty to savour."

There is no mistaking the key narrative of the contest, however, with Mac Allister's quest for a new contract and reactionary performance dominating the agenda.

The BBC'sAadam Patel wrote: "From the outset against Diego Simeone's side, the midfielder seemed like a man on a mission. He blazed over early on from outside the box then picked up a booking just before the half-hour mark. Seeing Simeone wave an imaginary yellow card when he wanted a second booking for his compatriot just before half-time told a story in itself.

"Simeone could only watch on when Mac Allister's left foot connected with the ball from outside the box and leave a diving Jan Oblak with no chance - turning the game on its head after Marcos Llorente's opening goal and Dominik Szoboszlai's equaliser.

"And it was certainly what Iraola and the Anfield hierarchy would have wanted to see after a below-par campaign from Mac Allister last season. The understanding is that they were of the belief that Mac Allister's performances did not warrant the offer of fresh terms.

"But if he can carry on like this, then it will be a question of when rather than if that offer is made for whoever replaces Richard Hughes - even if Mac Allister said he didn't know if his goal would boost his chances of a new contract.

"Steven Gerrard knows more than most about playing in midfield and scoring from distance for Liverpool and he described Mac Allister's performance as 'outstanding'."

FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page

Elsewhere, The Independent'sRichard Jolly was on hand to ensure that supporters don't get carried away just yet. He wrote: "A comeback victory provided an uplifting end to an evening that still had its unsatisfactory elements. Liverpool’s defending in the first half presented a concern in a game that was frenetic and flawed; fractious at times, too.

"Often outnumbered, Liverpool’s midfield struggled at times but their goals nevertheless came from midfielders. Dominik Szoboszlai was Liverpool’s outstanding player in last year’s Champions League, with five goals and four assists. He offered hope of a similarly productive continental campaign, finding the far corner with a low shot to equalise, following a backheel from Ronald Araujo.

"It came seconds after Jan Oblak denied Bradley Barcola a maiden Liverpool goal; Iraola, with his fondness for vertical football and pressing, was presumably pleased it all stemmed from Milos Kerkez coming forward to win the ball from Kang-in Lee. It was a redemptive moment for the Hungarian, who was culpable for the Atleti goal.

"A September defeat at Anfield last season did not stop Simeone’s side from reaching the last four. For Liverpool, first and third in the league phase in two seasons under Arne Slot, this was a fine start in Iraola’s reign.

"They were watched by a Champions League-winning manager, a former Inter manager and a Madrid native, in Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard’s loyalties as a boy lay with Real Madrid. It gave him an added reason to savour Mac Allister’s strike. Few others at Anfield needed one, though."

Get YOUR Liverpool FC Newsletter

Get the best Liverpool FC news and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Echo!

Yours in just two simple steps.

1. Head This Way
2. Enter your email and hit Subscribe.

Story Saved
You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.