Liverpool's signing spree hit by 'big blow' after high-profile exit – Merseyside Insider
Liverpool have seen their connections with some of European football’s top agents weakened somewhat after Michael Edwards’ decision to step down as chief executive.
That is according to former Everton CEO Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that Reds fans should be concerned about who is "steering the ship" at the moment.
Edwards’ recent departure has seen FSG’s president of football Mike Gordon take a more day-to-day role with the club once again, despite previously stepping away from his involvement.
Wyness is adamant that Edwards is a “big loss” for Liverpool, and feels that it has only added to the feeling of instability that has grown at Anfield.
Title-winning boss Arne Slot was sacked at the end of last season, and sporting director Richard Hughes also recently confirmed his decision to move to Al Hilal in September.
Wyness has now emphasised that the loss of Edwards is likely to have a big impact in the club’s transfer business moving forward.
Michael Edwards exit leaves agent concern
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Liverpool have been having difficulties dealing with agents in the aftermath of Edwards’ departure.
He outlined that Edwards, Slot and Hughes were the club’s three main connections with the transfer marketplace, which is becoming increasingly governed by the agents.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he explained the impact of Liverpool losing their chief executive.
“Arne Slot's gone, Richard Hughes will be gone. So that's three pretty serious people. And so the fans have got to be worrying about who's steering the ship to a great degree,” he said.
“These are to me three very important positions, the fans won't see it right now, but they will see it in the strategy and the way that things are executed.
“All the agents would have been plugged into these guys and they would all know exactly the sort of moves and the way they were looking at the squad planning going forward.
“To lose those people who are your main connections with the agents in the marketplace is a big blow. They create the environment and the long-term strategy, the backup positioning, everything that is done now that is so important in the game today.
“It's a big loss for Liverpool and a bit of period of instability. Mike Gordon coming back, that's not a great sign. He was already trying to fade off into the background. Now he's back front of centre again. So it's not a great thing for Liverpool.”
Liverpool ready to trigger spending spree
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson recently told Football Insider that Liverpool are going to “spend quite big” in the latter stages of this summer’s transfer window.
Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz currently stand as the Merseysiders only neew additions so far this summer, but the football finance expert is adamant that further acquisitions are just around the corner.
Borson outlined that he expects Liverpool to sign PSG winger Bradley Barcola “as a minimum,” but has also tipped them to make several more big-money moves before the season gets underway.
The club have faced a challenging summer behind the scenes, but the board are determined to back new boss Andoni Iraola with a strong squad.