Julian Ward transfer masterstroke should benefit Liverpool and help copy Michael Edwards move

Mon Feb 06 21:17:22 IST 2023

Julian Ward's time as Liverpool sporting director will be brief. Just one year after taking on the position, he will be departing for pastures new at the end of the season, leaving Liverpool needing to find a new sporting director for the second time in two years.

It's a strange time at Liverpool right now. Not only are there changes ongoing in the playing squad, but behind the scenes as well. From the question about the ownership, whether FSG will sell to a minority or majority stakeholder, to the questions about the boardroom with departures among the recruitment staff, there is plenty to be resolved.

The truth behind these changes is a mystery. No one really knows what's going on behind the scenes except for the people involved. Perhaps one day they will be unveiled, but for now, fans can only speculate about what's going on.

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In this climate, Ward was undoubtedly given a difficult job, in what would have already been a difficult job in normal circumstances considering living up to the prowess of someone like Michael Edwards is not an easy thing to do.

Edwards' legacy at Anfield is one so rich and impressive that without him it is questionable whether Liverpool would have been able to achieve the success it has achieved while he was at the helm.

But perhaps Ward himself can also leave with his head held high. Not only did he recruit well bringing in young guns to the club, who could prove to be the future of Liverpool like Fábio Carvalho, Darwin Núñez and Calvin Ramsay, Ward also introduced something of a change in strategy.

Under him, Liverpool has been radical when it comes to the loan market sending out a plethora of the club's academy players on temporary spells, and it's a move that could just pay dividends.

Players like Tyler Morton, Conor Bradley and Leighton Clarkson, in particular, have been very impressive, and continue to impress in competitive leagues. Another two in Jarell Quansah and Luke Chambers have also gone on loan in the January transfer window, and have started extremely well at their respective sides.

Perhaps none will make it at Liverpool, considering Klopp's vast options at his disposal, but these loans could still benefit the club in a fundamental way.

Under Edwards, the reason why Liverpool operated so effectively despite FSG's strict sell-to-buy scheme was that the club's sporting director was able to demand excessive transfer fees for fringe players at the club and thus generate a healthy amount of income.

Players like Dominic Solanke, Jordon Ibe and Brad Smith were probably sold for far more than their actual values in the transfer market, but in the last few years, Liverpool has not been able to make similar sales.

Perhaps Ward's method of loans could be the antidote to that problem, and the likes of Morton, Bradley, Clarkson and co this summer could be the next generation of Ibe's, Smith's and Solanke's. With all on long-term contracts at Anfield, still extremely young and with potential, they are going to be high-value assets if they continue to impress while on loan, and that makes them lucrative sales.

This could be Ward's legacy. A model like this won't be felt in the short-term as it's hinging on long-term payoffs of players impressing while out on loan, but in the long-term, it could very well generate important income to fund future transfers for Liverpool. The likes of Manchester City and Chelsea have followed similar policies in recent years and have reaped strong financial rewards from such sales. Come the summer, Liverpool should follow suit.

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