Liverpool

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola on Milos Kerkez's impact on his side despite criticism:

"I think Milos played really well the other day.

"I know him very well and what he can achieve. He still has big potential and he has good amount of experience in the Premier League and international team. I trust him.

"He has a lot to improve, like all the players, otherwise there is no bigger ceiling. I am ready to try to help him to become a better player."

Liverpool

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola on the departure of sporting director Richard Hughes:

"It wasn't a surprise when the news came last weekend. They are very good in their jobs and understand very well what they need to do. I wish him all the best.

"The club are still working with those who make the decisions over the summer and had continuous connection with Mike Gordon [president of owners Fenway Sports Group] and the needs. We will keep working."

On working with Hughes at Bournemouth and his involvement with bringing Iraola to the club:

"It's a matter of the club, the next step on where to go. The people who make decisions are still with us every day and I continue to talk them."

Liverpool

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Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on whether injury problems affected his performances last season:

"I was playing with pain, that started in the middle of the season we won the Premier League.

"It was painful and uncomfortable to play with, but that is what every player goes through. There are so many games and you always want to be there.

"No, I don't think that was the reason why. I take responsibility as it was not a good season for me or the team."

Liverpool

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As promised, here is more from Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.

Here is what the Argentina midfielder said was the most difficult part about playing Atletico Madrid:

"You always talk that they are a defensive side, I don't believe too much in that.

"When they defend, they do it in a low block, which is hard to break down, but they have great players who play with great freedom. That makes them dangerous.

"The most difficult thing against them is to defend well. We have to be clear on what we have to do and to be aggressive.

"They have lots of Argentinian players, which might help them. They have that passion, desire to win, that we Argentinians have within us.

"[The manager] Diego [Simeone] has been there a long time and has been able to get his ideas across. Hopefully we will win it."

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola on his first Champions League game and facing Diego Simeone: "It is a special night for me. Everyone talks about Champions League nights at Anfield and the first game is against strong opposition.

"Simone is doing an incredible job. To be there all these years and achieving so much is remarkable. It is a big challenge for us. I played against him as a player and as a coach. He has much more experience than me of these games but I hope we can give him a big game."

Liverpool

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That was a bit of a whirlwind, with Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola taking the chair immediately after Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister openly expressed such "sadness" that he had not been offered a new contract by the club.

Iraola said that the fact Mac Allister was still at the club and had chosen to fight for his place rather than leave during the summer spoke volumes.

And while he confirmed that he had not spoken with Mac Allister about his contract, which runs out in 2028, he was looking forward to working with him and hoped all the "problems would be resolved".

The Liverpool news conference has now finished, but we have plenty more of those quotes to bring you, so stick with us.

Liverpool

More from Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola on Alexis Mac Allister's contract situation: "I try to help my players, I don't know how much they earn. I know how to improve my players, to help them win games. The same with Alexis and everyone else.

"I am very happy with his performances, and I hope I can help him to still improve. He is very experienced player who has achieved massive things, but I hope he can develop as a player and if all goes well those problems will be solved".

Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on whether Andoni Iraola's arrival had any impact on his decision to stay at Liverpool:

"Definitely, I could see something special when I came back for pre-season.

"He's a really good coach, he knows what he wants to do and we are trying to get there.

"I haven't had any conversations with him about it [contract].

"I think this can be a successful year, that's why I think this is the right club and the right moment to be here."

Liverpool

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola on Alexis Mac Allister's contract: "We all have personal situations with different contracts. The important thing is he wants to be here. We haven't been together a long time but he has been an important player and I rate him very highly. There is still a lot of time to talk about those contract situations."

Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on his love for European nights at Anfield:

"It's so special for me, I really enjoy them.

"When I arrived to the club, we were in the Europa League and you can see the difference to a Champions League game.

"Hopefully we can play good football so the fans can get behind us."

Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on belief Liverpool can win the Champions League:

"I am very confident about this season.

"We have a lot of quality, we have a very good coach that brought his ideas.

"I think we improved a lot since the beginning of the season, we have the desire to win trophies. We have experience, we have trophies, we have everything to be successful, but we need to be all together.

"You can have the best players, best ideas, but if we are not on the same page, it's impossible."

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said that he had not spoken with Alexis Mac Allister about his contract, backing up what the player said in his news conference.

But said he hopes he can help Mac Allister develop as a player and, "if all goes well, everything will be resolved".

More to follow.

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said that managing in the Champions League was always his dream.

He added that it was a massive responsibility but also a privilege to take charge of six-time winners Liverpool in Europe's top club competition.

Full quotes to follow.

Liverpool

More from Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on whether the club told him why they would not renew his contract at this time:

"Not really, I did not have any direct conversations. They were with my agent.

"I don't want to say things they never said, but they said they were not in the position to renew me."

Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on how close he came to leaving Liverpool in the summer:

"There was a chance, like everybody knows.

"I received the news that the club was not in a position to renew my contract, which of course makes me very sad.

"I think everyone can see I give my 100% for this club, every single day in training, I have good games, bad games. I always give my best.

"I see Dominik and Rayan [Gravenberch] renewing their contracts, which makes me happy. Same time it makes me sad I didn't get mine.

"There is still time, I will give my 100% until my last day. We will see what happens.

"There was options to leave this summer. Right now I'm in the right club."

Liverpool

On Alexis Mac Allister and his contract situation, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said the main thing was that the player wanted to stay at the club and fight for his place.

He added that there was still plenty of time to discuss a contract extension before his deal runs out in 2028.

Full quotes to follow.

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is talking now.

He started with a question about the departure of sporting director Richard Hughes, how it came as no surprise and how he continues to work with the remaining directors, who were involved in decisions made over the summer on recruitment.

Full quotes to follow.

Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister spoke at length about the challenge Atletico Madrid will pose Liverpool, and how the side has been influenced by its Argentine manager, Diego Simeone, and players from his homeland.

He also discussed the injury problems that plagued him last season, which started during the previous campaign, when Liverpool won the Premier League under Arne Slot.

More to follow.

Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on facing Atletico Madrid and his relationship with the Simeone family:

"It's going to be a really difficult game, like it was last season.

"It's not only Giuliano, Diego, there is a lot of Argentinian players, so I'm happy that we can face each other."