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Tyler Morton’s Sale Points to a New Dawn for the Recruitment Team

Regardless of how people view the return of the new Liverpool CEO, Michael Edwards, it is an undeniable fact that his first tenure at Anfield (as the reds Sporting Director) was a sensational period which enabled Jürgen Klopp to build a team which became the most feared on the planet. There are of course plenty of caveats and ways of looking at the previous structure (away from the training ground), however, it is quite clear that when the Southampton born executive stepped away from his role in 2022, the process of signing players and moving assets on dropped off from its previous levels.

Will Edwards Influence the Recruitment Team…?

One of the first decisions of the new CEO was to appoint his eventual successor, Richard Hughes. The former Bournemouth technical Director will work under Edwards and perhaps act as a conduit between the Liverpool chief and the new head coach, Arnie Slot. In terms of the recruitment department, Will Spearman and his data driven colleagues will identify the targets that can enhance the squad and continue the transition which began last summer. Unfortunately, there are still those that question the stewardship of FSG, despite the emphatic trajectory of the club since they took over back in 2010. I have a little doubt that in the buildup to Klopp’s recent departure, a plan was put in place to establish a new hierarchy from top to bottom, one which enabled Mike Gordon (former CEO) to step away at the same time as his illustrious German manager and friend. There is absolutely no way that the American owners would have been able to attract the 45-year-old Edwards back to the club without substantial funds being made available, which I believe can be further increased based upon his proven ability to procure substantial bids for fringe players.

Below is the list of players sold by Edwards, with fees accrued during his previous spell as Sporting Director.

2016-17

Christian Benteke – €31.20m – Crystal Palace
Jordan Ibe – €18.00m – Bournemouth
Joe Allen – €15.50m – Stoke City
Luis Alberto – €7.60m – Lazio
Martin Skrtel – €6.00m – Fenerbahce
Tiago Ilori – €4.30m – Reading
Bradley Smith – €3.60m – Bournemouth
Mamadou Sakho – €2.30m – Crystal Palace (loan)
Total summer accrued that season, with any other loans adding to revenue – approx. €89m

2017-18

Phillipe Coutinho – €135m – Barcelona
Mamadou Sahko – €28.20m – Crystal Palace
Lucas Leiva – €5.70m – Lazio
Kevin Stewart – €4.50m – Hull City
Daniel Sturridge – €2.30m – WBA (loan)
Total summer accrued that season, with any other loans adding to revenue – approx. €184.5m

2018/19

Dominic Solanke – €21.20m – Bournemouth
Danny Ward €14.00m – Leicester City
Ragnar Klavan – €1.52m – Caligari
Total summer accrued that season, with any other loans adding to revenue – approx. €41.3m

2019/20

Danny Ings – €25.10m – Southampton
Ryan Kent – €7.20 – Rangers
Simon Mignolet – €7.00m – Club Brugge
Allan – €3.50m – Atlético Mineiro
Total summer accrued that season, with any other loans adding to revenue – approx. €48.00m

2020/21

Dejan Lovren – €12.00m – Zenit St Petersburg
Ovie Ejaria – €3.90m – Reading
Total summer accrued that season, with any other loans adding to revenue – approx. €17.20m

2021/22

Harry Wilson – €14.00m – Fulham
Taiwo Awoniyi – €8.55m – Union Berlin
Xherdan Shaqiri – €6.00m – Lyon
Total summer accrued that season, with any other loans adding to revenue – approx. €29.55m

What Picture Does the Above Paint…?

You must see the reduction in player sales to see how the recent stagnation was created, which saw the former Sporting Head resign, followed by his colleague and interim replacement, Julian Ward, just a year later.

It is well documented that the sudden departure (of Edwards) in 2022 was due to a resistance from his manager to regenerate the squad. Unfortunately, all players will eventually regress and the growing power of the loyal manager outweighed everyone else under the FSG banner.

With speculation circulating regarding the €15m sale of Tyler Morton (to RB Leipzig) emerging this week, it could see a return of enhanced sales. Much of what was spent prior to Liverpool winning both the Premier and Champions League trophies, was enabled by a flurry of fringe players being sold, to recruit the elite talent to take that next step. That next step is once again upon us.

Which Assets May be Sold This Summer…?

Luis Díaz will eventually move to Barcelona or PSG for a fee above €70m, which is something I believe will transpire as early as next week. The following listed plays are also likely to land new clubs, with Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards likely to entice offers that will maximize their values.

Luis Díaz – €70m
Caoimhin Kelleher – €30m
Kostas Tsimikas – €20m
Fábio Carvalho – €25m
Tyler Morton – €15m
Sepp van den Berg – €20m

Total – €180m

When you add all those fees together, it creates an eye watering amount for the recruitment team to reinvest in bodies that can impact immediately as well as allow continuing turnover down the line. Top level football clubs should always enable some degree of transition every year, to keep the playing staff fresh, whilst ensuring turnover is continual. There will likely not be a huge effect to the first team group this summer, however, the new heads of football will want to make a huge statement and ensure that their chosen head coach, 45-year-old Arne Slot, has the group that can challenge from the outset.

Steven Smith

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