Andoni Iraola is expected to be announced as Liverpool's new head coach this week after a verbal agreement was reached. His appointment follows the departure of Arne Slot and comes after a successful season with Bournemouth.
Key points
Andoni Iraola is set to be Liverpool's new head coach
Liverpool parted ways with Arne Slot on Saturday
Iraola led Bournemouth to sixth in the Premier League
Concerns exist about Iraola's lack of big club experience
Danny Murphy believes Liverpool will improve under Iraola
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Andoni IraolaDanny MurphyLiverpoolBournemouth
Andoni Iraola is set to be announced as theLiverpoolhead coach this week - but what is the feeling around the city to his impending arrival?
Iraola is set to move to Anfield after an impressive season in which he led Bournemouth to sixth in the Premier League, securing European football for the first time in the club's history.
But there are some reservations about his lack of 'big club' and European experience.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy feels the Reds will be in a much better position next season than they were under Slot.
"I'm quite excited because after watching Bournemouth play, there's no reason to think he's not going to try and play the same way - in terms of being courageous and on the front foot and trying to press teams with high energy and play attacking football," Murphy said.
"When a fanbase becomes disillusioned with a manager and his style of play - and then start turning on him - you're delaying the inevitable. I do believe Liverpool are better placed now and that's not all down to Slot.
"Bringing in Iraola was the best option because the fans go into a new campaign with hope and excitement, rather than fear. You do not want to start the season where the players are feeling the anxiety from the outset, and this was the best way for Liverpool to do it."
"I do have a couple of reservations because he's never managed a club of this size before and he will be a little bit surprised at how intrusive it will be on his life, when you manage ," Murphy added.
Q&A
Who is Andoni Iraola and why is he being appointed as Liverpool's head coach?
Andoni Iraola is a Spanish coach who led Bournemouth to sixth place in the Premier League, securing European football for the club, which has prompted Liverpool to appoint him as their new head coach.
What led to Liverpool parting ways with Arne Slot?
Liverpool decided to part ways with Arne Slot following a disappointing season, prompting them to seek a new head coach quickly.
What are the concerns regarding Iraola's appointment at Liverpool?
There are reservations about Andoni Iraola's lack of experience with 'big clubs' and in European competitions, which some fans and analysts have noted.
How did Danny Murphy react to Iraola's potential appointment?
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy expressed optimism that the team will be in a much better position next season under Iraola compared to Slot.
"Even as a player, that changes overnight because it's one of the biggest clubs in the world and everything you do will be scrutinised and talked about, locally and globally.
"The only other reservation is whether he will be able to play high-intensity football every few days because that will require a certain level of fitness - which we saw with Jurgen Klopp's teams with the flying full-backs, the midfield dynamism and the work-rate of the attackers.
"It's difficult to see how to create that with what he's got at the moment so the summer transfer window is huge for Liverpool in that respect. The current squad lacks legs and dynamism and isn't filled with brilliant players off the ball."
'Mixed feelings but excited' - Liverpool fan views
So is Murphy right? Will Iraola's appointment bring hope and excitement rather than the fear of another underwhelming campaign?
Peter Bolster - from the Spion Kop podcast - told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I'm very excited and I'm a little bit surprised with how excited I am.
"Large parts of last season I wasn't excited to watch Liverpool. I wasn't excited to go to Anfield and I certainly wasn't excited for pre-season or the start of next season. And whatever happens from this point onwards, I am excited.
"Iraola might be the perfect replacement. We might be sitting in this situation in two years, saying it didn't really work, but I'm excited with the project and that's what all fans want to be."
Following Slot's departure, Liverpool were keen to make an appointment at the earliest possible opportunity and wanted a manager who fits their preferred playing style, which is to deliver front-foot, aggressive football.
A style more aligned to how they played under former boss Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool fan Ian Walker said: "I have mixed feelings. That awful style of play [under Slot last season] had to be turned round as soon as possible, but the role has proved to be too much for some, both in terms of consistently securing results or in coping with the expectations and pressures of the media and the fanbase.
"I can still see Roy Hodgson tearing at his face on the bench when things weren't going well. Even Jurgen Klopp - adored by the fans, the players and the club - had to stop after great success and an exciting style of football. Good luck to Iraola."
The Redmen TV's Ste Plunkett told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Of the talent pool that was out there and the managers that were available, it seems an obvious fit in terms of what he does with his team and what we really want a Liverpool manager to do with our team.
"I think the construction of the squad last summer - and potentially with the additions we do this year - we have to find a manager for the squad and I very much think we didn't have that last season.
"You would have liked to have seen [Iraola] have some experience in Europe, but then he's never really worried about reputation or who he's playing against.
"That doesn't seem to bother him, so I think the fact that he's fresh to all of that, he'll go into it invigorated and there won't be a hangover over previous campaigns where things have gone wrong."
