Change is afoot at Liverpool, with a new arrival and a new role for a current star on the cards
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola has plenty to mull over(Image: Getty)
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Liverpool finally have something to celebrate. After two draws from their opening two Premier League matches, Andoni Iraola has overseen his first victory as Liverpool manager, with Friday night's trip to Ipswich producing a much-needed three points.
It was also the first time the Reds had kept a clean sheet this season after conceding four goals across their opening fixtures. The signs had been encouraging at times, but the results had left plenty of room for concern. Liverpool were held by Newcastle on the opening weekend before being forced to settle for another point when Nottingham Forest visited Anfield.
That made the trip to Portman Road an important test for Iraola, particularly with pressure beginning to build on the new boss to turn promising performances into results. Alexander Isak provided the perfect answer, scoring twice inside the opening nine minutes to fire Liverpool to a comfortable 2-0 win.
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The Reds have little time to savour the result, though. Atletico Madrid arrive at Anfield on Wednesday for their first Champions League tie of the season, with Fulham then travelling to Merseyside on Saturday.
With the transfer window now closed, Iraola can turn his attention towards improving Liverpool's position in the Premier League. However, there is still plenty happening behind the scenes, with the club looking at potential changes off the pitch and one established attacker potentially taking on a different role. With that in mind, here are the latest Liverpool headlines.
Richard Hughes replacement eyed
Liverpool have started looking at possible replacements for Richard Hughes after he officially stepped down as sporting director over the weekend.
Hughes arrived from Bournemouth in 2024 and played a central role in Liverpool's recruitment strategy, including the club's huge £450million outlay last summer. The Reds broke the British transfer record twice during that window, first paying £116m for Florian Wirtz before spending £125m to bring Isak to Anfield.
According to The Athletic, Julian Ward is one of the names being considered to replace him. Ward initially joined Liverpool in 2012 after working as a scout for Manchester City and quickly established himself within the club's recruitment structure. He became assistant sporting director in 2020 before taking over from Michael Edwards as sporting director two years later.
Julian Ward
Liverpool technical director Julian Ward is being eyed for the sporting director role(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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During his two-year spell in the position, Ward was involved in the arrivals of Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai. He also played a part in the £75m deal for Darwin Nunez, a major investment that has ultimately failed to produce the level of return Liverpool had hoped for. Ward moved into the technical director position in 2024.
David Woodfine, Liverpool's assistant sporting director, and FSG director of football development Pedro Marques are also reportedly in the frame. The club are not necessarily restricting their search to candidates already working at Anfield, with an external appointment also being considered.
Gakpo tipped for new role
Former Liverpool player Jason McAteer believes Cody Gakpo could emerge as an important part of Andoni Iraola's plans this season, despite spending much of the summer facing questions over his future.
The Netherlands international was strongly linked with a move away from Anfield, with both Tottenham and Manchester City reportedly keen on securing his services. Liverpool ultimately turned down an £80m offer from City late in the window, and Gakpo's impressive start to the campaign suggests that decision could prove to be an important one.
Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo has made a strong start to the season(Image: Getty Images)
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His position in the squad appeared to become even more uncertain following the arrival of Bradley Barcola, with the £123m signing expected to establish himself as Liverpool's first-choice option on the left. Gakpo, however, has responded emphatically, contributing one goal and three assists across his first three matches.
McAteer believes Gakpo's form means he should not be viewed as a player fighting simply to get back into the team. Instead, he sees an opportunity for the Dutchman to take advantage of an unresolved position elsewhere in Iraola's attack.
"It's been framed as Gakpo needing to find a way back, but I wouldn't say it's like that at all," McAteer told TEAMtalk. "He's had a fantastic start to the season, scoring goals and being heavily involved in Liverpool's best moments in their games so far.
"Barcola predominantly plays on the left... Cody started on the right against Forest, and while it didn't quite click, he's far more suited to the left or down the middle, where we've seen his quality for the Netherlands and Liverpool.
"But there is a role for him at Anfield this season, make no mistake... that right-hand side is still up for grabs. Nobody has cemented it. Gakpo will get plenty of game time, either filling in down the middle if Isak is out, or operating on the right."