Liverpool have sacked Arne Slot as their manager, and talks to bring in Andoni Iraola as his replacement are already advancing.
The Reds made the difficult decision to part ways with the Dutch manager ahead of the new season following a poor campaign in which they finished fifth in the Premier League, losing 13 times and conceding more than 50 goals for the first time.
The club have made outgoing Bournemouth boss Iraola their top target for the role, and it has now emerged that he has already selected at least one man to be part of his backroom staff at Anfield.
Iraola Wants Elphick at Liverpool
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks on during Premier League match
According to The Telegraph, Iraola is determined to take Bournemouth assistant coach Tommy Elphick with him to Liverpool as part of his backroom staff.
Elphick has been part of Iraola's staff at the Vitality Stadium in recent years, and is understood to be very highly rated at the club, with many believing that he is ready to take on a first-team management role of his own.
The 38-year-old was recently offered the role of Bristol City manager but turned it down, much to the surprise of many. But now it has emerged that Iraola is keen to take him to Anfield as part of his staff, and he could leave Bournemouth anyway.
Liverpool are expected to hold talks with a number of candidates, including Sebastian Hoeneß, but Iraola is understood to be the frontrunner to take over from Slot and is the leading candidate.
Liverpool Must Back Iraola
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola
Liverpool have made the decision to make a change in the dugout, despite briefing for months that Slot's job was safe and they were happy to continue with him.
That means they have now put a load of pressure on themselves to find the right replacement, and if Iraola is the man they choose to bring in, then they have to back him completely to ensure he gets the best possible chance of success.
That includes the people he wants as part of his staff, and also when it comes to transfers in the market, as he will want to put his own stamp on the squad. While Elphick isn't a big name or very well known, Iraola clearly trusts him, and that should be enough.