Liverpool are in advanced talks with Andoni Iraola as the club looks to appoint a new head coach following the sacking of Arne Slot.
Iraola departed Bournemouth at the end of the season and is considered the clear favourite to take charge at Anfield.
The Reds are keen to move quickly on an appointment and are looking for a manager who fits their preferred playing style of front-foot, aggressive football.
Iraola, 43, is understood to be keen on bringing his former Bournemouth assistant Tommy Elphick with him should he take the role at Liverpool.
Elphick, a lifelong Liverpool fan, has not yet been contacted by the club but would be interested in the opportunity if it arose.
The former Bournemouth centre-back, aged 38, turned down the chance to become Bristol City manager last week in order to explore his other options.
No approaches have yet been made regarding Iraola’s potential coaching staff, though the Spaniard’s preference for Elphick is clearly established.
The hiring process at Anfield is being led by sporting director Richard Hughes, who previously worked alongside Iraola during his time at Bournemouth.
Hughes’s existing relationship with the Spaniard is understood to be a significant factor in Liverpool’s pursuit of the former Cherries boss.
Slot was sacked on Saturday, just one year after guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title, bringing a swift and surprising end to his tenure at the club.
