Julian Ward could be set for a sensational return to Liverpool.
The former sporting director is reportedly expected to replace Richard Hughes at Anfield, with The Athletic reporting that the ownership-led process is approaching its conclusion.
Ward previously occupied the role during the 2022-23 season, overseeing a recruitment period that delivered six Liverpool signings.
Those deals have produced a fascinating range of outcomes, from players who struggled to establish themselves at Anfield to two Premier League title winners and one of the club’s most important current midfielders.
Here are the six Julian Ward Liverpool signings, ranked by their impact at the club.
6. Calvin Ramsay – £6.5m
An 18-year-old Calvin Ramsay arrived from Aberdeen in 2022 as one of Scotland’s most exciting young defenders. The teenager had recorded nine assists and a goal in 39 appearances during his breakthrough campaign and won the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Young Player of the Year award.
There were early signs of promise, as Ramsay made his Liverpool debut against Napoli in the Champions League before starting in a Carabao Cup victory over Derby County.
Unfortunately, a knee injury brought the Scot’s first season to a premature end.
A succession of loan spells followed, with Ramsay representing Preston, Bolton, Wigan and Kilmarnock before returning to Scotland with St Mirren this season.
Now 23, the right-back has never managed to establish himself in Liverpool's first team and appears destined to leave when his contract expires in 2027.
5. Fábio Carvalho – £5m
Fabio Carvalho looked like a bargain when Liverpool signed him from Fulham.
The Portugal youth international had produced 19 goal contributions in 38 appearances during Fulham's Championship-winning 2021-22 campaign.
His opportunities at Liverpool were limited, though, with just 672 minutes during his first season despite a promising start where the youngster scored twice in successive appearances, including a memorable 98th minute winner against Newcastle at Anfield.
A loan to RB Leipzig followed, but the now 24-year-old played only 189 Bundesliga minutes before Liverpool cut his loan short and moved him to Hull City, where 11 goal contributions in 20 Championship appearances helped rebuild his reputation in the league he knew best.
Things never worked out for Carvalho at Anfield, and he was sold to Brentford in 2024 for a fee of £27.5m, a significant profit on the £5m they initially paid.
4. Darwin Núñez – £85m
Darwin Núñez arrived with enormous expectations.
Liverpool paid a club-record £85m for the Uruguayan after he produced 38 goal contributions for Benfica and scored twice against the Reds in the Champions League.
Jürgen Klopp was clearly impressed, and early signs beckoned comparisons, if not misplaced ones, to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
Núñez showed plenty of qualities Liverpool supporters loved: explosive pace, aggression and relentless work-rate. However, his finishing ultimately prevented him from becoming the dominant striker many expected.
He scored 40 goals and provided 22 assists in 143 appearances, while missing 83 big chances.
Nevertheless, the Uruguayan won the 2024 Carabao Cup and was part of Liverpool's Premier League-winning squad in 2024-25.
But Liverpool eventually sold him to Al Hilal for around £46.3m, meaning the record signing failed to provide the financial or statistical return expected from such a substantial investment.
3. Luis Díaz – £50m
Luis Díaz's arrival from Porto in January 2022 immediately looked like a masterstroke.
The Colombian scored six goals and supplied four assists in his opening 26 appearances, helping Liverpool mount an extraordinary quadruple challenge.
He started both domestic cup finals as Liverpool defeated Chelsea on penalties and featured in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
A serious knee injury then disrupted his momentum, but the winger eventually rediscovered his best form.
In Arne Slot’s maiden season, he was increasingly used centrally and enjoyed his most prolific Liverpool season in 2024-25, scoring 17 times as the Reds won the Premier League.
Even better for Ward's recruitment record, Díaz was sold to Bayern Munich for around £65.5m, giving Liverpool a substantial profit, albeit his stellar performances at Bayern Munich rubbing some salt in the wounds.
2. Cody Gakpo – £45m
Liverpool moved quickly for Cody Gakpo in January 2023 after his incredible start to the season at PSV Eindhoven.
The Dutchman had produced 21 goal contributions in just 14 league games before arriving at Anfield.
He needed little time to settle, scoring his first Liverpool goal against Everton before scoring twice in the famous 7-0 victory over Manchester United.
He then contributed 16 goals during his first full season and won his first trophy with the Reds as Liverpool lifted the Carabao Cup.
Under Slot, Gakpo became even more influential. He scored 18 goals and registered seven assists in 2024-25 as Liverpool won their 20th league title.
After signing a new contract in 2025, Gakpo remains at Anfield despite reported interest from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur this summer, and has started the 2026-27 campaign in excellent form.
1. Alexis Mac Allister – £35m
Alexis Mac Allister was Ward's final major Liverpool signing, and the midfielder has arguably provided the biggest return.
Liverpool signed the Argentina international from Brighton for an initial £35m in 2023, with Mac Allister taking the No.10 shirt.
He immediately looked at home, registering seven goals and seven assists during his debut season and helping Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup.
His importance only grew under Slot.
The midfielder played 35 Premier League games during Liverpool's 2024-25 title-winning campaign and was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
Four years into his Liverpool career and despite mass speculation surrounding the club’s decision not to renew his contract this summer, Mac Allister has established himself as a key figure in the midfield, making the £35m fee look increasingly modest.
With Ward reportedly set to return, his first six major recruits offer an intriguing insight into the recruitment record he will be looking to build upon in his second spell.
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