Liverpool are preparing to welcome a new manager in Andoni Iraola, with the Spaniard getting a richly-deserved shot at the top following hugely impressive spells with Rayo Vallecano and AFC Bournemouth.
Arne Slot was sacked last week following a disappointing season, and Iraola has now agreed to take the job, according to Fabrizio Romano.
He posted on X: "BREAKING: Liverpool reach agreement in principle to appoint Andoni Iraola as new manager, here we go! Exclusive story from Saturday, 100% confirmed: Arne Slot left and Iraola will lead #LFC project, as expected. Talks advanced over last 48h and deal in place."
As Iraola prepares to take the mantle at Anfield, we have taken a look at the winners and losers in the Reds squad amid the incoming appointment.
Winners
Cody Gakpo
Gakpo is coming off the back of a disappointing season, recording nine goals and six assists, which is very respectable, but everyone at Liverpool knows he can be more dangerous.
The Dutchman has the ability to be one of the best wingers in the league, and Iraola has the ability to get that out of him. The Spaniard loves fast and direct wingers, and crucially, he demands them to be direct.
Gakpo will be told to beat his man and get inside or to the byline. Iraola wants final product from his wingers, and Gakpo will love having the license to provide it.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai has been one of the most consistent Liverpool performers over the last two years, and Iraola is likely to give him plenty of opportunities.
Iraola usually plays a 4-2-3-1, and that attacking midfield role is seen as vital within his systems.
Florian Wirtz will be competing, but his ability to play elsewhere will likely see Szoboszlai get first dibs on that 10 role.
Given the way Iraola plays, which focuses on getting the ball to the attackers quickly, Szoboszlai will thrive in how he plays incisive forward balls.
Milos Kerkez
Perhaps the most obvious winner is Milos Kerkez, who earned his move to Liverpool by being superb for Bournemouth under Iraola. Kerekez was a nailed-on starter for Iraola, and the Spaniard is likely to still have plenty of trust in the full-back.
Iraola wants his full-backs to get forward with the ball, and he knows Kerkez can do that.
Losers
Virgil van Dijk
It feels like van Dijk's days at Liverpool are numbered due to his age. He is now 34 years of age, and we know Iraola likes athletic players all over the pitch.
He likes players who can move the ball quickly and always set the attacking tone on the ball. A 34-year-old van Dijk is unlikely to be able to provide that consistently, and his days may be numbered because of that.
Curtis Jones
Jones is another who may fall victim to that desire to have athletic and fast players throughout the squad.
The midfielder is very good with the ball, making up for his lack of speed, but Iraola may well want more agile options in the middle of the park, especially when it comes to his box-to-box midfielders.
Those defensive midfield roles may also be upgraded this summer, so few may be safe in the midfield outside of Wirtz and Szoboszlai. Jones is going to have to prove he can aid Iraola's direct style of play if he wants to stick around, or at least if he wants regular game time under his new boss.
The 25-year-old was only a starter around half the time under Arne Slot in the Premier League season just gone, making 18 Premier League starts in all.
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