Three things Edwards must do before next season

Michael Edwards has been a busy man since returning to Liverpool earlier this month, but there is still plenty of work to be done ahead of next season.

This summer will see massive changes at Anfield.

Following Jurgen Klopp's shock announcement that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, Liverpool's owners FSG have found themselves needing to plan an entire rebuild of the Liverpool hierarchy, with coaches, analysts, physios, and scouts all likely to leave in the summer.

The first part of this rebuild is now in place, with Michael Edwards returning to the club in a newly created role as CEO of Football.  Edwards has wasted little time in his new role, securing a deal for Richard Hughes (currently at Bournemouth) to join the club as its new Sporting Director, while reports today suggest Mark Burchill will also be joining from Bournemouth, to take up a role in Barry Hunter's network of scouts.

Getting these appointments concluded early means Edwards and his team can concentrate on other important matters, such as identifying a new manager and sorting out contract renewals.

With this in mind, we discuss three things Edwards must do before next season:

• Appoint a new manager
• Sort out contract renewals
• Work on summer transfer targets

1. Appoint a new manager

Michael Edwards's most important (and challenging) job is appointing a new manager to succeed Jurgen Klopp.

I say succeed, rather than replace, as replacing Jurgen Klopp is impossible.  As both a manager and a human being, Klopp is unique.  Whoever is appointed as the next Reds manager must have the strength of character and confidence to be themselves and to manage in their own style.  Liverpool doesn't need Klopp 2.0, they need a fresh start that builds on Klopp's successes, but with a new identity.

Xabi Alonso is the clear favourite amongst fans and ex-players, but Edwards will have his own ideas and requirements, and will not be rushed into making a decision.

Now that the Sporting Director role has been filled, Edwards can concentrate on securing Liverpool's new manager, with an announcement likely before the end of the season.

2. Sort out contract renewals

Several Liverpool players are coming to the end of their contracts this summer, including Thiago, Adrian, and Matip.

For Thiago and Adrian, the situation is quite simple, with neither player expected to stay beyond the summer.  There is an argument that Matip deserves a new contract for the loyal service he has given the club over the last seven seasons, but with plenty of changes happening throughout the club, there is likely to be little room for sentiment, so it would not be a surprise to see Matip leave on a free transfer either.

Looking further ahead, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, and Mo Salah's contracts expire in 2025, meaning they will need to be offered new contracts in the coming months.  All three players are vital to Liverpool's future, so tying them down to new, long-term contracts is essential.  Alexander-Arnold will be the easiest contract to resolve, as the player is born and bred in Liverpool, and doesn't want to play anywhere else.  Van Dijk and Salah are both happy at the club, so there will be a willingness to sign new deals, but as the club's two biggest stars, they will command massive salaries, which will impact the transfer budget available to the new manager.  Will FSG be happy to splash the cash on new contracts and new signings?

3. Work on summer transfer targets

Liverpool will not press ahead with any new signings until a new manager is appointed, but as we mentioned above, several players will be leaving Liverpool at the end of their contracts meaning the squad will need reinforcements.

A key part of any discussions with potential managers will revolve around the playing squad, and who they may want to sign, so Edwards will have a good idea of the type of players Liverpool will be targeting in the summer, allowing him to lay the groundwork for future transfer dealings.

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