Standing before the cameras during Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States, Andoni Iraola delivered a message that reframes the summer's Liverpool transfer news.

His priority, he made clear, is not simply reshaping the squad with new faces but holding on to the proven ones already at Anfield.

Two of those names carry particular weight after a busy northern summer. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and goalkeeper Alisson both featured at the 2026 World Cup, the Argentine and the Brazilian returning to Merseyside with their reputations, and their price tags, higher than ever.

The timing is what makes Iraola's comments so pointed. A strong World Cup tends to attract admirers, and Iraola knows that keeping a settled spine together is often harder than buying into it.

Why Iraola Wants Mac Allister Retained

Iraola was unusually direct about the 27-year-old Argentine. He called Mac Allister one of the club's best players over recent seasons and pointed to his strong World Cup as proof other sides would naturally come calling, treating the interest as a compliment rather than a crisis.

The contract picture explains the nerves. Mac Allister has two years left on the five-year deal he signed after joining from Brighton in 2023, a move reported to be worth up to about A$105 million including add-ons, and he has yet to open talks over an extension.

That silence has fuelled speculation he could move on this summer, though Iraola pushed back firmly on the idea.

He insisted he wants to keep his best performers rather than see them leave, stressing that his focus this window is adding to the squad, not losing key men.

Alisson's Contract And Juventus Talk

Alisson's situation carries its own urgency, with the 33-year-old down to the final year of his deal.

Reports have linked the Brazilian with a move to Juventus, but Iraola sounded content to bank on his experience for the season ahead.

The manager leaned hard on the value of dressing-room leadership as the squad absorbs younger arrivals.

He pointed to figures such as Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Alisson himself as the long-serving voices the group still needs, describing the goalkeeper as someone who will help newcomers settle in.