Andoni Iraola is eager to keep key stars Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson Becker at Liverpool amid exit rumours, insisting that they are extremely important.

Liverpool are yet to find their feet in the transfer market, with the season set to begin in under a month. Andoni Iraola began pre-season training a few days ago and has been eager to add new faces to the team. At least two new wingers are thought to be important targets, but the manager is also focused on keeping hold of his existing stars.

The idea is to preserve as much of the squad as possible moving forward, despite a few key players being linked with departures. Among them are Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson Becker, with Iraola’s comments, relayed by The Guardian, indicating that he wants to keep the pair beyond the summer window.

Andoni Iraola speaks on key duo’s futures

Mac Allister was the subject of a rumour suggesting that Real Madrid were in talks with his camp, but this was not true. This was confirmed by his father, Carlos Mac Allister, who denied any talks with the Spanish giants, although he did not state that his son would certainly stay at Liverpool beyond the summer.

Iraola has now had his say on Mac Allister, naming him one of the club’s best players and expressing his desire to keep him.

Iraola said: “I think Alexis has been one of the best players at the club for the last few years, and he has had a very good World Cup, so it is normal that other clubs want our best players. It always happens in other markets. But I want to keep my good players. I’m looking forward more to signing new players rather than losing the ones we have here.”

As for Alisson, Iraola also stated that he was happy to have the long-serving veteran as part of his plans. The Brazilian is in the final year of his deal and was linked with a move to Juventus earlier. However, as things have panned out, the goalkeeper is now expected to stay put, although his long-term future remains unclear.

Iraola continued: “I am very happy with the situation we have right now in the goalkeeping area. We have Alisson, we have Giorgi [Mamardashvili]. Now we are going to send Armin [Pecsi] on loan, but we have the guarantee of the three keepers here. Freddie [Woodman] played some games last season, and I think he is a guarantee for us.

“Alisson is also someone in the changing room who is a major reference point in terms of experience. He is someone who will definitely help us in this process of adapting the new signings and young players. We need reference points such as Virgil [van Dijk], Alisson and Joe Gomez; players who have been here for a long time, and I am sure we will have their help.”

On paper, Mac Allister and Alisson are vulnerable to transfer speculation. However, Iraola’s comments on Mac Allister and Alisson show that the club have a plan in mind to secure their futures beyond next summer.