Liverpool director Richard Hughes is a huge fan Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, who is open to replacing Arne Slot this summer.
The Reds saw their final chance of silverware this season evaporate at Anfield on Tuesday evening, as two goals from Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele cemented PSG's place in the Champions League semi-finals.
To make matters worse for Liverpool, striker Hugo Ekitike appears to have suffered a serious achilles injury, and Slot confirmed the Frenchman's situation "looks really bad".
The manager did however feel his side made progress on a night where they created 2.17 expected goals (xG) but failed to convert.
“I think we made a lot of progression compared to last week. I have to give a lot of credit to the players, how hard they worked.
“I have to give a lot of credit to our fans, how they helped us tonight to execute our gameplan. If we have a high press, it’s so helpful if there are fans behind you, to keep on pushing you.
“Unfortunately, it’s one of the many examples of this season where we weren’t able to score from the many chances we had.
“Again, we were so far underperforming in terms of xG (expected goals), and that is just an ongoing thing with us throughout the whole season."
And while Fabrizio Romano has confirmed any conversations about Slot's future will not come until the end of the season, the Dutchman is now under serious pressure to deliver a top five finish, and even that may not be enough to save his job.
Andoni Iraola open to Liverpool move
andoni-iraola-bournemouth-premier-league
Indeed, Bournemouth manager Iraola has told the Cherries he will leave the club at the end of the season, and Football FanCast sources understand he is Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes' top target if Slot is sacked.
The Reds have been strongly linked with a move for former midfielder Xabi Alonso since his departure as Real Madrid manager, but FSG have always had their own way of doing things, and have been impressed by Iraola's consistency and philosophy at the Vitality Stadium despite losing several key players in the summer transfer window.
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Liverpool's senior stars have flattered to deceive throughout the season, and this one more than most.
The 43 year-old wants to remain in the Premier League, namely to make the step to big club such as Liverpool or Manchester United, both of whom could be on the look out for an up and coming boss this summer.
Andoni Iraola tactics and formation
Andoni Iraola
The Bournemouth boss typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation which becomes a 4-1-4-1 in possession, with just one holding midfielder.
Bournemouth's style of play (via WhoScored)
Take long shots
Attack down the left
Attempt crosses often
Take a lot of shots
Aggressive
The Cherries like to build quickly from the back, using the long passing capabilites of centre-backs like Marcos Senesi, which could be music to the ears of Virgil van Dijk, who is known for his ability to ping driven balls to Liverpool's wingers.
One weakness Liverpool fans may not want to hear is that South Coast club have been poor at defending set pieces this season, but it appears the former Rayo Vallecano manager has all the makings of a top level boss.