Liverpool tipped to replace Edwards with ‘world’ class operator after Anfield source reveal – expert
Alex McLeish has insisted Liverpool need to replace Michael Edwards with someone who has “great expertise” in world football.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland manager insisted the appointment of a new sporting director would be “absolutely vital” for the club’s future.
A Liverpool source told Football Insider (27th October), Edwards is planning to leave Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the season.
While he does not have another post lined up, he is looking for a new challenge.
Edwards has spent over a decade at Liverpool and has been in his current role since 2016.
During that time he has helped take the Reds to Premier League and Champions League glory.
He has played a major role in bringing the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker to Merseyside.
McLeish insisted getting the right appointment would prove crucial to Liverpool’s future plans.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Liverpool are dealing with the top players in the world.
“We talk about recruitment, it’s so vital and so important. Edwards has unearthed a few but we knew about most of these players.”
“These days are different now. You need a guy who has great expertise, knows his way around the whole of world football.
“At that level, that’s absolutely vital. I’m sure Klopp is aware.
“Okay, if the sporting director can sneak in a guy under the radar who nobody’s heard of and he turns out to be a world-class player, then that’s different.
“Any manager at that level knows the kind of players they want to bring to the club.”
Finance guru Kieran Maguire has told Football Insider that Edwards is a “brilliant” operator who has been “phenomenal” during his spell in charge of transfers.
The Athletic reported back in August Liverpool believe they are in a good position for transition should Edwards leave.
Assistant sporting director Julian Ward has reportedly become a more influential figure at Anfield, working with Jurgen Klopp and the recruitment team.
In other news, “huge” update on Salah contract talks with Liverpool after astonishing reveal.