3. Return of Michael Edwards, June 1st
The truth about building a team capable of challenging for and winning titles is that the process is more complicated than simply leaning on heavy funding to purchase elite players.
That process also requires clubs to analyze how effectively incoming players would function in unison on the pitch and whether their attributes align with the manager’s system of play.
In his role as Liverpool’s sporting director from 2016 to 2022, Michael Edwards performed that task exceptionally well.
Throughout his term, Edwards facilitated the arrivals of players such as Sadio Mane, Gini Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson, all key players for Klopp.
None of those players commanded the types of massive fees that the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, or PSG dish out regularly for their players, but they became stars in the first team as Liverpool challenged for and won major honors.
Edwards’s responsibilities have shifted since he took up his new role of Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of Football in June, but crucially, he continues to wield significant influence in major decisions concerning the club.
Given how effectively Edwards constructed a Premier League and Champions League winning side with only a fraction of the funding available to some of their primary competitors, the Liverpool faithful rightfully welcomed his return.
If Liverpool can continue to achieve in the post-Klopp era, Edwards’s work and decisions behind the scenes will certainly play a key role. Which brings us to our next item…