Liverpool set to open talks with Andoni Iraola as they look to replace Arne Slot

Liverpool are set to open formal talks with Andoni Iraola in the coming days as they seek to make a swift appointment to replace Arne Slot.

The Dutchman was sacked on Saturday just 12 months on from winning only the club’s second Premier League title in 30 years after a pitiful defence ended with them stumbling to a fifth-placed finish.

After a review of the campaign, beset first by the tragedy of the death of Diogo Jota in a car crash last July and then a serious of injuries which hampered the team’s performance to the extent they lost 19 matches and took two points from their last four league matches, owners Fenway Sports Group decided a change of direction was needed.

Iraola, who is leaving Bournemouth after guiding them to their highest league finish of sixth, securing a maiden European campaign, was identified as a front-runner and the Press Association understands an official approach will be made next week.

Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes already has a relationship with the Spaniard, having appointed him at Bournemouth when he was in a similar role there.

It is understood Iraola, who is said to be keen on taking the job, has already spoken to Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.

The decision to remove Slot, who had lost a large section of the fanbase and had to deal with grumblings from within the dressing room, was a swift one because as late as Friday evening he still believed he would be continuing next season.

Liverpool’s rationale was that the team needed to move back towards a more aggressive, front-foot, urgent style of football, which had gradually been eroded over Slot’s two-year tenure.

The squad are understood to be surprised by the swift development and captain Virgil van Dijk is