Liverpool have officially confirmed Julian Ward as their new sporting director, bringing him back to Anfield for a second spell in the role.
Ward resigned from his role as technical director at Fenway Sports Group to replace Richard Hughes, who moved to Saudi Professional League side Al Hilal at the end of the summer transfer window.
It’s a familiar return for the 45-year-old, whose links with the club stretch back more than 14 years, having served briefly as sporting director during Jurgen Klopp’s reign before leaving in 2023.
“We are delighted that Julian has agreed to take over the leadership of our football operations department at this time, primarily because we believe he is the ideal candidate for the role given his extensive experience in the football industry and specifically at Liverpool Football Club.” – Mike Gordon, FSG President
Ward will have a big decision to make once he returns to Merseyside.
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas and Wataru Endo are out of contract next summer. The club cannot afford to lose more experience in vain after Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left on free transfers this summer.
As we revealed this week, Alexis Mac Allister is the player most likely to miss out, with his contract expiring in 2028. Despite the Argentinian’s return to form this season, Ward has no intention of offering him a new contract. Instead, the 27-year-old is likely to be sold at the end of the season, with the new manager determined not to make the same mistake as Hughes and let key players terminate their contracts.
Ward sees Ryan Gravenborg and Dominik Szoboszlai as long-term fixtures in the midfield and wants a specialist defensive midfielder to play alongside them, with Monaco’s Lamine Kamara thought to be his first choice.
Liverpool identify new right-back as priority
However, midfield is not top of the agenda. Football FanCast sources understand that Ward and Gordon fully agree that the first priority is bringing in a new right-back.
Jeremy Frimpong and Connor Bradley were hoped to fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Bradley has been plagued by injuries while Frimpong’s abilities are better suited to a full-back role.
Ronald Araujo stepped in and impressed at right-back, but he is a natural centre-back and the fee of around £47m required to loan him out permanently was seen as too high.
A Liverpool source told us: “Liverpool are delighted with the signing of Araujo but believe they need a world-class right-back next summer.”
Who could Liverpool sign?
The Reds are not expected to be active in the winter window, but one name worth keeping an eye on is Feyenoord’s Givaro Reed. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all have long-term interest in the Dutch right-back.
Reid has provided five assists in just seven Eredivisie appearances this season and scouts have been particularly impressed with his playmaking ability from the wing, an ability Liverpool have missed since Alexander-Arnold’s exit.
Liverpool will face stiff competition for Reid’s signature with Arsenal and Manchester City also considering it, but if his form continues he could be just the kind of “world-class” option Ward is looking for when the club are shopping next summer.