Echo

Seven Liverpool players now face uncertain future as Andoni Iraola appointment nears

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Liverpool are close to appointing Andoni Iraola as their new boss and that could have an impact on several members of the current squadLiverpool are edging nearer to appointing Andoni Iraola as their new head coach having reached a verbal agreement with the Spaniard.The Reds have made the former Bournemouth boss their preferred candidate to replace Arne Slot, who was sacked on Saturday after a disappointing defence of the Premier League title that was won in dominant fashion during his debut campaign last year.With Iraola having left the Cherries after the final game of the season, compensation will not be an issue with the 43-year-old likely to be in position by the end of the week should there no unexpected obstacles emerge in negotiations with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. It's understood he has been offered a two-year deal.Iraola is expected to be joined by Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, his former assistants who remain at Bournemouth.



However, the full make-up of any new coaching staff has yet to be determined despite reports linking former Reds midfielder Thiago Alcantara with a return having recently left the Barcelona coaching team under Camp Nou boss Hansi Flick.The concentration then will turn to the squad with the Anfield future of a number of players having been called into question in recent times.Chief among them is Alisson Becker, with Juventus having been strongly linked with an interest despite Liverpool having earlier this year triggered their option to extend the contract of the Brazilian goalkeeper to the end of next season.While Slot intimated the club could have a decision to make this summer, the understanding is the Reds have always want Alisson to stay with reports in Brazil stating the 33-year-old has opted to resist the overtures of Juventus and remain at Anfield for at least one more season.That, though, could have an impact on Giorgi Mamardashvili, with the Georgia international having made 20 appearances this season. There have been claims the goalkeeper has been offered by his representatives on loan to clubs in Italy.Among Iraola's first decisions will be to determine if two midfielders are in his long-term plans.Curtis Jones is approaching the last 12 months of his contract with Liverpool and has attracted firm interest from Inter Milan, who failed in a bid to sign him on loan in January, with Turkish side Galatasaray also monitoring the player.

Liverpool, aware it could be the last window in which they could cash in on the Academy graduate, want in excess of £30million for the 25-year-old.Harvey Elliott has returned from a frustrating season-long loan spell at Aston Villa after the Europa League winners consciously avoided giving the 23-year-old the games that would ensure they were obliged to sign him for £35million.With Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all leaving on a free transfer, Liverpool have been shorn of significant experience, particularly in defence.And that could make Joe Gomez, another who is out of contract next summer, an important squad member as its longest-serving player, with two of the other three senior centre-backs - 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni and incoming £60m signing Jeremy Jacquet - having never played in the Premier League.A change in tactical approach under the incoming Iraola could also breathe new life into Alexis Mac Allister, who had a disappointing campaign in midfield.Mac Allister still has two years left on his contract but, unlike fellow midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, he has not been offered a new deal in recent months.Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa, meanwhile, have long been linked with possible moves away from Liverpool this summer due to a lack of minutes during Slot's tenure.