Next Liverpool manager and Mohamed Salah replacement – Michael Edwards’ five top tasks revealed
Liverpool recently announced Michael Edwards’ return to the club as their new CEO of Football to oversee their post-Jurgen Klopp plans.
The Reds’ former sporting director is set to assume his role at the start of June and will oversee football operations for owners Fenway Sports Group.
Edwards has a huge job on his hands with a summer of transistion ahead and great uncertainty regarding key stars. Football Insider has analysed his top five priorities.
Jurgen Klopp replacement
The most glaring job at hand at Liverpool remains their need to appoint a replacement for Jurgen Klopp.
While Xabi Alonso remains their top choice, sources have told Football Insider (10 March) that they have shortlisted Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann and Ruben Amorim as candidates to replace the long-serving German.
Players and fans will remain uneasy until a new boss is unveiled, meaning Edwards will surely make this his top priority.
Mohamed Salah successor
Amid frequent links to a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia, the Reds would be smart to identify and sign a long-term replacement for their superstar forward.
Well-placed sources have told Football Insider (9 March) that Salah, 31, is unlikely to be handed a lengthy contract by Edwards but is expected to be offered a new deal.
Liverpool’s top Premier League goalscorer is also thought to be happy to remain at Anfield, but replacing their star player for the long term will be no easy feat.
Contract extensions for star men
The club are said to be in talks with multiple stars regarding new deals and keeping familiar faces at Anfield would be useful as they usher in the post-Klopp era.
Football Insider revealed (11 February) that Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose deal expires in 2025, is set to be offered a long-term bumper contract.
Andy Robertson is also expected to be offered new terms, with Football Insider revealing (3 March) that the club are planning to discuss an extension once they have appointed a new manager and sporting director.
New centre-back signing
With Virgil van Dijk approaching 33 years of age, Joel Matip set to leave at the end of the season and Ibrahima Konate’s frequent injury woes, Liverpool would be smart to enhance their backline.
Sources have told Football Insider (27 February) that chiefs are set to prioritise defensive signings this summer.
Expected new sporting director Richard Hughes will have a big say in any new signings, but Edwards will surely see the defence as a recruitment priority.
Liverpool feeder club
Upon Edwards’ appointment, it was revealed that FSG intends to add a new club to their portfolio and extend their football reach beyond the Reds.
It is yet to be seen if or how this will benefit Liverpool directly, but similar business models such as the City Football Group’s have proved valuable to all teams involved.
Regardless, Edwards will have a major hand in the expansion of the owners’ portfolio.
In other news, Kieran Maguire: Liverpool set to match Man United as £15m summer deal agreed.
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