Liverpool F.C.'s head of first-team goalkeeper coaching Xavi Valero has stepped down after only 12 months. Valero informed the club before the end of last season that he wanted to return to his homeland.

What happened?

The experienced Spanish coach will not be part of new head coach Andoni Iraola's backroom staff when pre-season training gets underway at Kirkby next week.

Why it matters for Liverpool F.C.

His departure is unrelated to the sacking of Arne Slot and the parting of the ways is understood to be amicable. Liverpool F.C. are assessing the merits of a number of candidates as they look to appoint Valero's successor.

What comes next?

Colin Stewart, who is the club's goalkeeper development and pathway lead, will fill the void on a temporary basis, as Liverpool F.C. sits 5th in the Premier League with 60 points from 38 games, having scored 63 goals and conceded 53, and 25 points behind leaders Arsenal. Long-serving No 1 Alisson will miss the start of pre-season as he enjoys a break following his World Cup commitments with Brazil. Valero was part of Rafael Benitez' backroom staff at Liverpool F.C. between 2007 and 2010 before going on to work with the Spaniard at Inter, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid. Iraola has brought four staff members with him from Bournemouth, including Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper as first-team coaches. Liverpool F.C.'s individual development lead coach Luiz Fernando Iubel is staying on as part of the new era at Anfield, with the team looking to improve on their recent form of DLDLW.