Edwards’ Return: A New Dawn for Liverpool’s Squad Dynamics

Strategic Acquisitions Under Edwards

The end-of-season departure of Jürgen Klopp is something I am not yet ready to accept, despite the months that have passed since that shocking statement of intent. The tenure of the German manager will stand alongside the very greatest that came before him, especially when you consider that his ongoing English rivals, Manchester City, have amassed 115-charges (so far), for their obvious and absurd financial irregularities. I have little doubt that the 56-year old former Borussia Dortmund manager would have won multiple more Premier League titles and Domestic Cups (as well as at least another Champions League trophy), if not for the blatant deception being undertaken at the Etihad. During so many campaigns, the Reds have been embroiled in a relentless battle for the top spot, meaning that their various European aspirations suffered due to fatigue. This situation can also be levelled at Pep Guardiola’s side (who have only won one European Cup), as despite the billions that have been spent (by the State-owned club) trying to monopolise football, the Reds have remained a major thorn in the side of the reigning champions.

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It would appear that football is now in the final stages of this ridiculous period of sports washing as the Etihad Club prepares for a life away from elite competition. Eventually, they will be forced to undertake multiple relegations, sanctions, and the stripping of silverware they did not earn. The most unfortunate and perhaps saddening situation is that just as the fraudulent behaviour of City nears its end, so does the era of Jürgen Klopp’s stay on Merseyside. The beloved head coach departs at the close of the 2023/24, however, his resignation appears to have been tempered by the return of another brilliant Anfield servant.

The Klopp-Edwards Synergy

I understand that through the initial stages of the Michael Edwards / Jürgen Klopp partnership, the Sporting Director and manager flourished with tremendous recruitment and elite coaching. This endeavour enabled colossal success, and the idling club was thrust back into the upper echelons of the sport. The signings that Edwards’ was involved in are listed below. However, it is clear that his role in targeting the likes of Luis Suárez, Philippe Coutinho, and Daniel Sturridge (from his role as an analyst from 2011), must have been what prompted FSG to elevate him to the position of Sporting Director in 2015. That very same year is when Brendan Rodgers was replaced by a confident German (on sabbatical), and the awakening of a sleeping Liverpool giant could finally be undertaken. 

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I have ranked Michael Edwards signings by my preference, considering impact, cost, and potential resale monies recouped.

18 – Alex Manninger – Free
Signed From – FC Augsburg (2016)
Retired – 2017
Verdict – An experienced campaigner who was brought in to offer depth.

17 – Marko Grujić – £5.1m
Signed From – Red Star Belgrade (2016)
Sold – Porto – £10.5m (2020)
Verdict – Much was expected of the talented player. The subsequent flurry of loans and eventual transfer fees received meant that the Serbian international was a financial success.

16 – Loris Karius – £4m
Signed From – Mainz (2016)
Released – Newcastle (2022)
Verdict—This was a very highly regarded goalkeeper who played well for Liverpool until that fateful Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid. Unfortunately for the German, a concussion and stream of mistakes unfolded that night, and he has never been able to recover the form that prompted his initial signing.

15 – Adrian – Free
Signed From – West Ham (2019)
Verdict—Much like Alex Manninger, this was the free acquisition of an experienced keeper who could add depth. The Spanish stopper is seen as a key ingredient in the group surrounding Alisson Becker. Therefore, his role as a training ground keeper may well continue.

14 – Ragnar Klavan £4.2m
Signed From – FC Ausburg (2016)
Sold – Cagliari – £2m (2018)Verdict – A steady and dependable defender who enjoyed good moments who added both experience and depth.

13 – Dominic Solanke – £3m
Signed From – Chelsea (2017)
Sold – Bournemouth – £19m (2019)
Verdict—The extraordinary resale of the current Bournemouth striker makes this a huge success. Given how the English forward has progressed on the south coast, I have little doubt that he would have been a solid success at Anfield. However, the need to generate funds makes certain acquisitions necessary. 

12 – Takumi Minamino – £7.25m
Signed From – RB Salzburg (2020)
Sold – Monaco – £17m (2022)
Verdict—A gifted and versatile operator emanated from the RB group. His impact was sporadic, though, with some real bright moments before being sold for an acceptable profit.

11 – Naby Keïta – £53m (2018)
Released – Werder Bremen (2023)
Verdict – The little Guinean was signed as an explosive and brilliant midfielder who continually struggled with injuries. The best moments were too fleeting, however, he put together a fine season of form and availability in the 2021/22 season. Given that the cost was substantial and the talented midfielder left upon the expiry of his contract (as a 28-year-old), the experience was a failure overall and perhaps the one not in the recruitment drive.

10 – Xherdan Shaqiri – £13.5m
Signed From – Stoke (2018
Sold – Lyon – £6m (2021)
Verdict—The Champions League second leg win over Barcelona was vital to winning the trophy that year, whereas various moments of greatness were achieved by the power cube Swiss. 

9 – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain £35m
Signed From – Arsenal (2017)
Released—Beşiktaş (2023)
Verdict—The initial period of the former Arsenal man’s Anfield stay was electric until injuries scuppered a career that should have exploded under Klopp.

8 – Joël Matip – Free
Signed From – Schalke (2016)
Verdict—He was one of the most underrated defenders during his spell in England, and he cost nothing. There is no doubting that his game rose exponentially alongside Virgil; however, the rise in performances continued even without the giant Dutchman standing next to him. Given that his German manager is set to leave, that all but closes the Anfield door on hopes of a contract renewal, given that the popular Cameroonian is currently sidelined with a season-ending ACL injury.

7 – Andrew Robertson – £10m
Signed From – Hull City (2017)
Verdict—He is the most crucial left-back in the Premier League since the retirement of Ashley Cole, who became the perfect raiding full-back within a gegenpressing system of play. The deal’s value remains astonishing, especially when Kevin Stewart was sent in the other direction for equal value.

6 – Fabinho – £39m
Signed From – Monaco (2018)
Sold – Al-Ittihad – £40m (2023)
Verdict – Sensational servant that enabled Miso to rise from good to great, with some genuinely immense defensive attributes. The sale was perfectly timed, if a year late.

5 – Georginio Wijnaldum – £25m
Signed From – Newcastle United
Released – PSG (2022)
Verdict – The original Swiss Army knife that would ghost through games as the perfect off-ball facilitator. The superb Dutchman’s absolute importance was only known once he had departed.

4 – Sadio Mane – £34m
Signed From – Southampton
Sold – Bayern Munich – 2022 (£30m)
Verdict—The infectious wide forward was destructive and brilliant from the second he graced the Anfield turf. Despite often playing second fiddle to his Egyptian teammate, there is no denying that he was the Premier League’s most destructive attacker for some time. He rose to save his side on countless occasions—a truly outstanding piece of business. 

3 – Alisson Becker – £67m
Signed From – Roma
Verdict—The giant Brazilian has taken Premier League goalkeeping to previously unknown levels, as his monstrous frame continues to offer the Reds what the likes of Petr Cech and Peter Schmeichel offered their respective clubs. The injuries are, of course, a concern, which is why the fanbase must celebrate the time he has left at Anfield and the world-class performances that have continually been shown.

2 – Mohamed Salah – £37m
Signed From – Roma
Verdict—Some will argue that the Egyptian King has been the most important signing in Michael Edwards’s initial era, which is, of course, hard to argue. Mohamed Salah has been transformative and world-class since the moment he arrived on Merseyside, and a new contract must be signed to build upon the shoulders of the world’s greatest in waiting.

1 – Virgil van Dijk – £75m
Signed From – Southampton
Verdict – The most vital piece of the Liverpool puzzle, who immediately drove his teammates to ultimate success. His value and importance are still apparent, and he must be retained, given his continual and undeniable position as the world’s best central defender.

The point of the above is to show who was signed and allowed to leave for free once Michael Edwards departed. The continual loss of revenue will not be allowed to continue, with only those in their prime (and over 30 years old) allowed to stay. Therefore, the likes of Andy Robertson will fight with their hands as the new regime realigns with a new head of the table.

Long-term contracts are about to be rewarded based on what is expected instead of old loyalties. The continual regeneration of the squad means competition and level of play will override anything else, which I am very excited about.

Steven Smith