Bombshell Liverpool transfer update as Fabrizio Romano relays major Saturday decision.

FSG technical director Ward considered for sporting director told

Liverpool continue to do work on appointing a new sporting director to replace Richard Hughes and are seriously considering Julian Ward.

Ward is currently the technical director for Liverpool’s majority owners FSG – but they are also investigating whether to bring someone new in to work alongside him, either as co-sporting director or technical director.

Julian Ward (second from left) is under strong consideration to become Liverpool’s new sporting director

Hughes, who appointed Andoni Iraola as head coach, stepped down from his role at Anfield earlier this month to join Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, and Liverpool are discussing several names who could be appointed in some capacity. Among them is understood to include Brentford technical director Lee Dykes.

Serious conversations are currently ongoing at multiple levels of Liverpool Football Club and the ownership structure over who should be appointed in what is a key role, and whether or not to make another addition alongside them.

Liverpool have done major work in the transfer market in the last few windows, with mixed results. The intention this season has been to get the best from three major 2025 investments in Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, although the latter is injured.

Ahead of this season, Liverpool signed seven new players including Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz, Lucca Brughmans, Djylian N’Guessan, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona. Jeremy Jacquet also joined permanently following an initial loan.
Iraola warns Liverpool must gear up for ‘demanding’

Andoni Iraola has challenged Liverpool to “get ready” as they look ahead to a demanding schedule after the international break.

The Reds scraped a 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Sunday to remain unbeaten and claim a second Premier League win under the ex-Cherries boss.

Iraola is keenly aware a similar effort will be insufficient come October, when they resume their league campaign at home to Manchester City before travelling to LASK in the Champions League.

“I think overall we’ve improved, definitely since the first games,” Iraola said.

“Some of the things we still need to improve, more things. I am happy it is the third clean sheet in a row in the league.

“[It was] a kind of difficult game. I know you never play comfortably [at Bournemouth]. Bournemouth don’t allow you to play comfortably normally, they put you under pressure and you have to adapt and you have to win this kind of game.

“But we still have to get ready because the schedule that we have now, it’s very difficult. I think we are playing against top-four teams and then in between Champions League and then in between Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and everything in two, three days.

“So we have to get ready because this next month, after this break, it’s going be very demanding for us.”

Iraola will give the “four or five” players not called up to international duty a few days off before they resume training and expects he will only have about three days to prepare properly for City following the return of his players.

Jeremy Jacquet, who was named player of the match on Sunday, will be one of those returning from abroad after earning a maiden senior international callup to Zinedine Zidane’s first France squad.

The 21-year-old has been known to the new France boss for a long time, having also played with Zidane’s son, Elyaz, at youth level.

“He’s going with France and that is a big national team and I know that he is happy,” said Iraola.

“He’s still very young, he is adapting really well to the Premier League. I think in the first games, physically he was feeling the change of rhythm, he was finishing with cramps, finishing really tired and we had to sub him.

“[Sunday] has been a step forward. He looked solid until the end and I think he’s finished physically also in a good place. I hope he can continue this development.”

Why are people shocked about Wirtz?

Joe: Completely agree with Carra. I don’t think Wirtz is under performing, I think this is what he is – why is anyone so shocked? It’s not the first time a big money move from the Bundesliga has failed to translate; Sancho, Simons, even Havertz didn’t turn out as expected.

SteOzzy: No. Wirtz doesn’t start. He offers nothing. It’s no coincidence that Liverpool have dropped way off the level since he walked through the door. What is he actually good at? He hasn’t got a shot on him. Doesn’t look like he’s creative and Szoboszlai offers more pressing from the 10.

Potential teams to face City?

Deano: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Rio; Gakpo, Barcola, Isak.

Callum Higgins: Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Barcola, Gakpo, Isak.

EvH: Alisson; Araujo, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Barcola, Gakpo, Isak.