Andoni Iraola has welcomed Alexis Mac Allister's desire to stay at Liverpool after the Argentina midfielder claimed the club was unable to offer him a new deal during the summer

Andoni Iraola has admitted he was pleased to hear "top player" Alexis Mac Allister indirectly express his wish to extend his Liverpool contract last month.

Mac Allister spoke ahead of the Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid in early September regarding his disappointment at not receiving a new contract offer from the club, despite fellow midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch both being rewarded with extensions this year.

The in-form Argentina international stated on September 8: "I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which of course makes me very, very sad."

Iraola maintains the key takeaway from that specific press conference was his delight at hearing the midfielder wishes to remain on Merseyside, as the head coach outlined what he believes the former Brighton star brings to his squad.

"Mac Allister, I always say, he understands the game overall," Iraola remarked (via the Liverpool Echo). "Not just the demands of his position but what is happening overall.

"Sometimes he is the first to correct his team-mates live, not just the one that is next to him. He understands what is happening which is a very good quality to have.

"You mention the press conference (before the Atletico Madrid game), I was there also after him. The most important thing from it was that he wants to stay here.

"He wants to be at his best so he can continue helping us, no?

"He is a player who has achieved what he has achieved to be clear with his intentions is very good for us. I appreciate him and he is a top player."

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Iraola's comments come as Mac Allister has once again addressed his future at Anfield, having hinted in a new interview with Sky Sports that changes behind the scenes could lead to a change in his position.

“The situation didn't change, but there's a new sporting director, there is a new ownership coming into the club. So everything can happen and we will see whether it’s this season or next season. We will see what happens.

“But right now I'm just enjoying my football, enjoying playing for this amazing club that is one of the best in the world. And we will see. We will see in the future what happens.”