Liverpool have a strong connection to Spain and added another Spaniard to the ranks this summer with the appointment of Andoni Iraola. Following the dismissal of Arne Slot, the Reds moved quick to land the former Bournemouth boss. After an impressive playing career, Iraola has built a strong reputation as a coach and Liverpool will hope the 44-year-old can push the team on again.
For fans who enjoy gaming online, from checking out the lottery office to placing wagers on the Premier League, Liverpool will be in the title race conversation despite last season's disappointment. Iraola is following in the footsteps of a number of compatriots at Anfield and will be eager to repeat the success they enjoyed previously.
Rafael Benitez is the man who perhaps started the Spanish revolution on the red half of Merseyside, arriving after guiding Valencia to the LaLiga title in 2004. The manager would write his name into Liverpool folklore during his six years in the Anfield hotseat and is considered one of the most iconic names in the club's rich and storied history.
Benitez's crowning moment came during his maiden season as he guided Liverpool to Champions League glory. Qualifying from the group stage after Steven Gerrard scored an incredible goal to come from behind and beat Olympiacos in the sixth and final game in Group A, the Reds then defeated Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Chelsea on the way to reaching the final in Istanbul. It was in Turkey when the true magic happened.
Liverpool trailed Italian giants 3-0 at half-time and the match looked over. However, the Reds staged an incredible fightback and drew the scores level at 3-3. The game went to penalties and Benitez's side triumphed to make one of the most incredible showpieces in Champions League history.
The Spaniard also managed the team to the FA Cup in 2006, the Super Cup and another Champions League final in 2007. Benitez departed in 2010 and left a legend after bringing success to the football club.
Xabi Alonso is widely considered one of the best midfielders of his generation, winning the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and the Euros either side of that triumph in 2008 and 2012. First making his name with Real Sociedad, Alonso made the move to England with Benitez and formed an impressive midfield partnership with Gerrard in the centre of the park. Boasting supreme technical ability and an incredible passing range, Alonso allowed Liverpool to be more expansive and helped take the side to the next level.
Scoring in the Champions League final in Istanbul, Alonso also helped the team lift the FA Cup and Super Cup. Playing 210 games and netting 19 goals, the midfielder had a huge influence at Anfield before leaving to join Real Madrid in his homeland in 2009. Winning the LaLiga title in 2012 as well as the European Cup in 2014, Alonso also featured for Bayern Munich and was crowned a Bundesliga champion three times.
Fernando Torres was one of the most feared forwards in the 2000s and left boyhood club Atletico Madrid to sign for Liverpool in 2007. The Spanish frontman enjoyed a great understanding with Steven Gerrard and was one of the most accomplished finishers to have played in the famous red shirt.
In his first season at Anfield, Torres was the joint-second top scorer in the Premier League with 24 goals in 33 games and only trailed Cristiano Ronaldo. Spending three-and-a-half years with Liverpool, the Spain striker hit 81 goals in 142 appearances for the club and so it was a shame his input didn't yield any trophy success. Leaving for rivals Chelsea in January 2011 perhaps dented his legacy but Torres is still considered by fans to be one of the best attackers to have represented the team.
Pepe Reina replaced Istanbul hero Jerzy Dudek in goal during the summer of 2005 and quickly established himself as a key player for the Reds. Joining from Villarreal after starting his career with Spanish giants Barcelona, the goalkeeper became a fan favourite with his shot-stopping capabilities and command of his box helping the Liverpool defence in front of him.
The goalkeeper helped Liverpool lift the FA Cup in 2006, with opponents West Ham scoring just one of their penalties in the Reds' shootout victory. Reina also won a League Cup winners' medal in 2012 and is regarded as one of the best stoppers in club history. Reina spent nine seasons at Anfield, and made 394 appearances for the Reds across all competitions.
Overall, Spanish players have had a huge influence at Anfield since the start of the century. With the likes of Luis Garcia and Fernando Morientes also playing for Liverpool, the club has a strong connection with Spain. Andoni Iraola will be hoping he can build on that relationship and extend the legacy further still.