Liverpool legends John Barnes and Jamie Carragher are in agreement following the departure of Michael Edwards from FSG, with even more upheaval expected at Anfield
04:00, 15 Jul 2026
John Barnes and Jamie Carragher
John Barnes and Jamie Carragher agree on Michael Edwards' exit from Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
John Barnes has echoed Jamie Carragher’s thoughts on Michael Edwards’ departure from Liverpool’s owners FSG, insisting that he was far from the most important person involved with the club.
Edwards’ exit from FSG was confirmed last week, two years on from Liverpool’s former sporting director returning to work as the group’s CEO of Football.
Having been brought back to lead FSG’s planned move into a multi-club model, Edwards is reported to have been left frustrated after those plans were shelved, leading to his departure amid the ongoing upheaval at Anfield following the firing of head coach Arne Slot earlier in the summer.
Current sporting director Richard Hughes is also expected to leave the club at the end of the transfer window, with a move to Saudi Arabia to join his former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis at Al Hilal in the works.
Edwards’ exit has seen anxiety grow among some Liverpool fans, not helped by a slow summer in the transfer market, with just Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet added to last season’s squad so far.
Barnes though doesn’t see any need to panic, suggesting that some supporters have overestimated Edwards’ importance at Anfield.
“How many goals did he [Edwards] score for Liverpool last season? How many saves did he make?” Barnes told Betfred.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Richard Hughes, sporting director and Michael Edwards, chief executive of football at Liverpool during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Michael Edwards has left FSG, while Richard Hughes is expected to exit Liverpool later in the summer(Image: Getty Images)
“The manager and the players are the most important people. It’s them and the players who go out and win matches, not the CEOs and sporting directors.
“Are Liverpool not going to sign anybody now because Michael Edwards is leaving? Are Liverpool not going to be able to identify talent anymore because Michael Edwards is leaving? Are players not going to move to Liverpool anymore because Michael Edwards isn’t there? People need to wake up.”
Barnes’ comments come after Carragher also sought to downplay the impact of Edwards’ departure. The former defender has long been of the belief that Jurgen Klopp’s impact was far greater than Edwards’ during his first spell at Anfield, despite some fans suggesting otherwise.
“Listen, these roles in football now, we wouldn't have talked about these probably 10, 15, 20 years ago,” Carragher said. “People wouldn't have known who the chief scout was really.
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“That's what a director of football is now. There's obviously a lot more to it and that's why they've got so many numbers and a big team behind them. But for me, as I said, they're a lot more high profile now.
“But for me, the manager is always the most important person and when I look back at that era of success, it was about Jurgen Klopp, no doubt about that. I think, as I said, probably what happened over the last 12 months as well proves that.”
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Liverpool.com says: There's no doubt Edwards' exit is a big blow for Liverpool and FSG, but Barnes and Carragher are right in suggesting that his part in the club's success over the years has probably been oversold by some supporters.
The idea that was peddled by some that he was more responsible for those triumphs during Klopp's time at the club is nonsense, although the current upheaval is understandably worrying for supporters after such a dismal 2025/26 season.