Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards stepped down from his role at the club. Julian Ward will replace him in the role. Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan also paid tribute to the outgoing sporting director. He also mentioned that Ward is the ideal man to further his predecessor’s fine work at Anfield, writes Paul Gorst.
Michael Edwards will depart the Merseyside club after being in charge for more than a decade. His role was to work behind the scenes to make transfers happen. He joined the club in 2011 as head of performance and analysis. Next, he took up the role of technical director. But next, he became the club’s first sporting director and truly established his reputation among the club’s fanbase.
Edwards played a key role in bringing most of the crop of players Jurgen Klopp is managing. Other than that, he also ensured that the club can coup a lumpsum amount from departing players, deemed surplus. It was on Edward’s watch that the Anfield outfit set up an entire department for potential transfer targets using data analysis within football.
In an exclusive interview with the ECHO, Mr. Hogan said:
“Michael has had an immense impact, absolutely. And look, some of those moments, whether it is the football operations or the work the Academy is doing, maybe it doesn’t get seen as much as the first team that is on the pitch.”
Benzema is confident against Liverpool
As noted by Will Pickworth, Benzema said that the Reds ‘haven’t changed much over the years and believes his club Real Madrid know what to expect from them in the UCL Final. Benzema was instrumental in his club’s last UCL win in 2018 against the very same opponent in Kyiv.
The French striker is having one of the best seasons in his career. He has been influential in his club’s run to the UCL Final scoring 15 goals in 11 appearances. Despite being confident about his club’s chances, he also marked the threats Liverpool possess. He said:
“They’re very good. They haven’t changed much for the last four or five years. They have a good coach [Klopp]. But we have to focus on our own game.”
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