Julian Ward had big boots to fill when replacing Michael Edwards as Liverpool’s sporting director this summer. After all, since taking on the newly-created role himself in November 2016, he had helped Jurgen Klopp put together a side that would return to the Champions League, conquer all of England, Europe and the world and win all major honours on offer to them in the space of six years.
Having previously served as a technical director, in Edwards ’ first summer transfer window following his promotion he would help sign Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson for £36.9m and £8m respectively, while banking £26m for the exiled Mamadou Sakho and £8m for starlet Kevin Stewart. The following January the club’s transfer record would be broken as Virgil van Dijk joined the club for £75m, while Philippe Coutinho departed in an astonishing club-record £142m deal.
Such business would be a sign of things to come at Anfield as Edwards ensured Liverpool were no pushovers in the transfer market, with the Reds commanding top dollar for outgoings, despite limited experience or game-time, while always looking to negotiate the best possible deal for the club, both in and out.
