Liverpool have forged a reputation for being one of the Premier League's most efficient clubs in the transfer market - and they pulled off their latest coup by sealing a surprise swoop for Porto star Luis Diaz last week.
The Reds came out of nowhere to gazump Tottenham and snap up the Colombian attacker in the final days of the January transfer window.
Much of Liverpool's success in the transfer market in recent years has been credited to sporting director Michael Edwards.
Edwards, who has played a crucial role in negotiating some of the biggest deals in the Reds recent history, announced that he'll be walking away from Anfield in the summer.
But his replacement, Julian Ward, is already being groomed to hit the ground running - and if early indications are anything to go by, then nobody need fear for the Reds after Edwards leaves in a few months time; Liverpool are in safe hands.
Ward has quietly been assuming more responsibility recently and it's been reported that he oversaw the "tough negotiations" that eventually led to Diaz becoming a Reds player.
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And by doing so, not only did Ward help Liverpool pip their rivals to one of the most coveted players in Europe, he also got the best of one of the Premier League's most savvy negotiators.
Spurs chief Daniel Levy is a notoriously tough man to strike a deal with.
With that in mind, it's not a surprise that Levy isn't the most popular man in the Premier League - but there are few figures in English football who are as accomplished or respected as Levy when it comes to the art of negotiating a deal.
However, Ward has managed to get one over on Levy already.
According to The Athletic, Levy was left 'furious' after Tottenham missed out on a deal for the prolific attacker; especially as Liverpool only jumped in once Spurs had managed to negotiate Diaz's price down to €45million (£37.6 m).
The article, citing sources, claims hostility between the two clubs is inevitable after Liverpool pinched Diaz from Tottenham's grasp at the eleventh hour.
That's not likely to be too much of a concern for Liverpool - who are more likely to be focusing on the sterling job done by Ward ahead of his big promotion in the summer.
If any Liverpool fans had any concerns over Edwards replacement, then Ward's role in the Diaz deal should allay them. Getting one over on Levy is no mean feat; for Ward to do it in his first joust with the Spurs' chief is downright impressive.
The onus is now on the Reds' current deputy sporting director to continue in the same vein once Edwards does take his final bow at the end of the season.
Liverpool have garnered a reputation for being prudent but decisive in the transfer market under current owners FSG.
Jurgen Klopp has, of course, also played an integral role in evolving the Reds' transfer strategy but Edwards has always been seen as the driving force.
But Ward's triumph in his first spar against a seasoned negotiator like Levy should help to calm any fears that Liverpool fans may have about losing one of Klopp's right-hand men.
For what it's worth, Klopp was one of the first to doff his cap to Ward and the Reds transfer team for getting a deal for Diaz over the line so promptly.
“We know Porto is an outstanding club who nurture players in the best possible way and provide a brilliant football education. They are a class club and, I have to say, have been tough negotiators," the Reds boss said earlier this week.
“I also must make clear my appreciation to our ownership and football operations team for how they have managed to act so decisively to get this done.
“Luis is a player we believe will make us better now and in the future. He is the player we really wanted and they’ve made it happen, so I am very happy.”
