31 Jan 2026 11:21:24
Hi Ed001,
In your opinion, should the club bring back Jörg Schmadtke if possible? Thought he did a decent job when brought in getting Grav, Mac and Szob at good prices. If I recall it wasn't easy for him to operate fully in his role since he required lots of approval to do anything.
Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - he certainly did a better job than Hughes has done, but he would not be my choice unless it was a short term role again.}
31 Jan 2026 12:28:56
Not denouncing what he did but didn't Mac and Szob have release clauses that we met.
Though Grav and Endo were good finds though as a lot were against Grav and personally I'd never even heard of Endo.
31 Jan 2026 12:49:16
Szobo was a release clause activation. Not exactly master negotiating.
Macca deal was handled by Julian Ward before he left. Macca credits Julian Ward for that.
Caicedo and Lavia (we got lucky on that one eh? ) approaches that summer were messy, dragging Bill Hogan and Mike Gordon into the process.
The Endo deal couldn't have been too difficult to do. And Gravy was desperate to leave Bayern for game time.
We also needed a CB in that window with Inacio and Lukeba being linked at the time.
I am not sure Schmadtke's time with us would warrant another go at it.
But I have serious concerns about Richard Hughes' role. Once the window slams shut, he will have had one notable window in 4, with us going into the second half of the season with an imbalanced squad that cannot seem to cope with the intensity and style of the Premier League - our bread and butter.
31 Jan 2026 12:54:54
Is Monchi still available after leaving Villa? Supposed to be one of the best in the business?
Dan Ashworth maybe? My knowledge of these folk is limited!
31 Jan 2026 13:25:26
It is difficult to know who would be a good fit until we know which coach we go with and what their remit will be.
Luis Enrique has been really fortunate to have Luis Campos working with him at PSG. Campos is probably the best in the business right now.
Max Eberl seems like a bit of a tit at Bayern. His colleague at Bayern, Freund might be interesting.
Tim Steidten was supposed to be promising but West Ham don't look too healthy at the moment do they - although I am sure the owners played a part in that.
Rolfes at Leverkusen is highly thought of but then I question his judgement in hiring Erik Ten Hag this summer.
Txiki, Rangnik, Monchi and Zorc are probably all ready to chill out now, so can't see them being options. Not sure Monchi is made for a big club anyway.
Ashworth? No thanks.
Anyways, I doubt Edwards is going anywhere. He probably won't sack his mate Hughes either. And if did, he might just move Julian Ward back into the Sporting Director role.
I did notice that Big Virg say that outside of being a football player, the Sporting Director role is one that he likes. One for the future perhaps? That would be fun!
31 Jan 2026 13:33:17
You still have to want the player at Liverpool tho, release clause or not? The club still has the decision to make if the player is the one they need I guess so there is still a fair degree "talent" to pick the right one.
31 Jan 2026 13:39:16
To be honest I don't really have an opinion on Edwards and Hughes as individuals or even their roles but I do enjoy reading others on them.
My only point would be we've just came out top in the PL and 5th in the world for revenue and the highest of any PL club in 29 years.
I honestly can't see FSG pulling the trigger on them after that. Results are usually laid at the managers door.
31 Jan 2026 14:10:55
Ed1, if you judge this season based on what has happened so far, do you reckon the three musketeers — Edwards, Hughes, and Slot — will still be at Liverpool by the start of next season?
{Ed001's Note - if it was up to me, no. I just can't see how they can be judged to have been anything but disastrous when you consider how much they spent to take us backwards to the shambles we were in pre-Klopp.}
31 Jan 2026 15:13:15
Paul Mitchell was said on here by someone a couple of weeks ago.
Does he have a good rep, would he be suited to us?
31 Jan 2026 16:07:04
Indeed, IR. If only it was that simple. You can trigger someone's release clause all you want BUT if the player doesn't want to come to you then, you have to convince them to do so and if you can't, they won't come and will stay put or go somewhere else. Zubimendi or Diego Costa from back in the day ring a bell?
Oh, we were going to trigger Huijsen's release clause at B'moth too BUT as soon as RM did, no more suitors needed to apply. He was gone. Also, Newcastle also triggered Szobo's release clause at the same time we did. Who did he pick straight away? Newcstle kicked rocks immediately cos he picked us and said exactly why.
At the end of the day, a negotiatior (which is what a DOF is, btw) has to do his job regardless and anyone ho thinks that it is easy cos you released some damn release clause then you are gravely mistaken. Just my opinion.
31 Jan 2026 16:24:55
If I remember correctly, ed2 used to speak very highly of Paul Mitchell. Apologies if I am remembering incorrectly.
31 Jan 2026 17:11:14
Correct Gazza and Lfchopefull ?.
31 Jan 2026 18:05:31
Edward's might have to sack his mate in the summer, always got the feeling even the stuff from Ornstein on Hughes was media PR from Edwards to try and back up his choice.
A club like ours needs the best of the best, but the sporting director and the manager are both a delegate mix. While there is history of them not getting on the best with each other Klopp and Edwards worked as Klopp maximised the ability of Edwards picks especially in the early days when we didn't have as high a budget to work with, the ultimate person to squeeze every drop of ability out of the players at his disposal.
I've heard and we have all heard about how amazing Edwards is, but I do wonder if a ton of it is himself using media pathways to blow smoke up his own arse. It's so and was so painfully obvious when all of the articles starting coming out about Jurgen picking certain players to sign he was trying to push blame and keep himself as squeaky clean as possible.
Also I do wonder what happened to the multi club model, there was a bit of a buzz about it a few months ago but nothing has been said since?
The club are in a very delicate position currently and we desperately need UCL football. Will always appreciate Arne winning us the league but this year it's become apparent the job might be slipping from his hands. For me I wouldn't be shocked if him and the STC are gone this summer and as for the replacements, the obvious one is Alonso and for me if it somehow turns out not to be him then I would move mountains to get Enrique in from PSG.
As for the sporting director it could be a complete mystery but no doubt would have to be someone Edwards would have a good rapport with and be able to hinge the blame on if things go south again.
31 Jan 2026 18:59:08
I'm with JK23 on this. I certainly can't see Edwards going anywhere, nor Hughes for that matter. I'm indifferent to the pair of them, but have difficulty understanding the hostility towards them. They weren't brought into question last season, and they delivered a transfer window which most of us were ecstatic about.
I'm currently sat looking at the Kop and I will be amazed if I see any Hughes/ Edwards out banners during the game.
The inability of VVD to remain focused for 90 mins, as an example, has nothing to do with either Hughes or Edwards.
I don't expect too many to agree with me, but, like I always say, I couldn't give a flying fish.
31 Jan 2026 20:29:19
Flying fish ??. Very polite Rome ?.
31 Jan 2026 22:37:52
I try my best, Irish! Hope you were happy with tonight's performance, mate. Probably best performance of season. Folk will still be having a pop at Slot.
31 Jan 2026 23:04:49
Ekitike baller
Wirtz baller
Kerkez slow start, baller
Frimpong unlucky with injuries baller
Isak baller
Leoni baller unlucky with injuries
CB strengthening all but over the line with Guehi until Palace pulled the plug. Absolutely no problem for me with that window. They could do with helping Arne out with a defensive signing this month though.