Jamie Carragher has cast doubt over Liverpool’s recruitment team being deserving of the God-like status they have sometimes been given.
The past decade or so has been glorious at Anfield, with two Premier League titles and a Champions League won, among many other trophies.
Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot have both guided Liverpool to glory, but the transfer team spearheaded by Michael Edwards has also received huge praise.
Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher spoke of his doubts about the recruitment team’s worth overall, with Klopp potentially the true mastermind behind it all.
“I’m sick of these directors of football – and by the way, I’ve got great respect for what they did in terms of being there with Klopp,” Carragher said.
“The people at the top, Michael Edwards especially, he was there under Brendan Rodgers and it wasn’t great.
“Klopp comes in and Michael Edwards and his team obviously do a great job, but they’re the most high-profile recruitment team I’ve ever heard about in my life.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's Director of Football Michael Edwards during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Everybody talks about them – the fans have got them like these Gods.
“As soon as Jurgen Klopp goes, it seems to drop off again, so is Jurgen Klopp the star? I mean, that’s what it looks like.”
How much credit do Michael Edwards & Richard Hughes deserve?
It’s fair to say that CEO of Football Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes‘ stock has been higher in the past at Liverpool, with plenty of criticism coming their way of late.
Some of last summer’s transfer business hasn’t worked, with record signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz struggling, and the likes of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez flattering to deceive.
Ultimately, they deserve praise for a lot of the work they have done, especially transfer guru Edwards, but life is a lot easier when someone of Klopp’s stature is manager.
Both Edwards and Hughes have just one year remaining on their current Liverpool deals, so this summer could define their time at Anfield.
They have to nail the next batch of signings, giving incoming head coach Andoni Iraola the right players to suit his system, and ensure last season was nothing more than a blip.
The jury is rightly out, though, and Edwards and Hughes’ legacies will look a lot clearer this time next year.