Julian Ward is expected to be reappointed as Liverpool's new sporting director following Richard Hughes' exit in the summer, having previously held the role in 2022
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JUNE 14: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Darwin Nunez signs for Liverpool FC at AXA Training Centre on June 14, 2022 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez was one of Julian Ward's signings during his first spell as Liverpool sporting director(Image: Getty Images)
Julian Ward looks set to be placed back in charge of Liverpool’s transfer business, just over three years after his first spell as the club’s sporting director ended.
Ward is expected to be appointed as Richard Hughes’ successor following the Scot’s departure from the role earlier this month. Liverpool is thought to have settled on an internal appointment after also speaking to external candidates, with Brentford’s technical director Lee Dykes among those to have held talks with the club.
The anticipated appointment will see Ward return to a position he previously held, having worked as the Reds’ sporting director during the 2022/23 season after taking over from Michael Edwards.
During his first spell, Ward made a total of seven first-team signings for Liverpool, with mixed results on those brought to Anfield. Here’s a look back at every signing made by Ward during his initial stint as sporting director.
Luis Díaz
Though not officially in the role of sporting director in January 2022, Ward nevertheless played a big part in bringing Luis Diaz to the club. The Reds swooped in on deadline day to beat Tottenham to his signature, securing him for a fee of $47 million.
After a blistering start, Diaz was forced to sit out the majority of the following season after picking up a knee injury against Arsenal. He would go on to play an important role in Liverpool winning the Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season as head coach, scoring 17 goals and adding eight assists across all competitions.
Luis Diaz in action for Liverpool during a Premier League match
Luis Diaz departed Liverpool in 2025 and joined Bundesliga side Bayern Munich(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
He would be sold by the club to Bayern Munich shortly after for a fee of around $87M, securing a major profit in the process. His absence was felt as Liverpool subsequently struggled, while he flourished in the Bundesliga and helped his new side to the title.
Fabio Carvalho
A deal had been in the works for Fabio Carvalho to join from Fulham in January 2022, but the deal couldn't be completed until the summer. The youngster made a promising start to life at Anfield, including scoring a late winner against Newcastle, but the remainder of his first campaign proved to be frustrating.
He struggled for opportunities, and was sent out on loan to RB Leipzig the following summer. Chances proved hard to come by in Germany as well though, and he returned to Anfield in January before heading back out on loan with Hull City.
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Carvalho would fare much better in the Championship, scoring nine times in 20 appearances, but that wouldn't lead to any more opportunities back at Liverpool. He was sold to Brentford in 2024, and has managed just 35 appearances for the Bees since then.
Calvin Ramsay
Calvin Ramsay arrived from Aberdeen with plenty of promise in 2022, but injuries got in the way of his progress.
After undergoing surgery on a back issue in 2023, Ramsay required further work on a knee problem, leading to him making a total of just six appearances across loan spells with Preston and Bolton.
Further loan spells at Wigan and Kilmarnock followed before a frustrating year saw him continually named on the bench by Slot back at Liverpool, although he would only make two first-team appearances despite a raft of injury problems for Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. He's now on loan at Scottish Premiership side St Mirren, with his future looking likely to lie away from Anfield now.
Darwin Nunez
The biggest signing of Ward's brief stint as sporting director, certainly in terms of the fee. Ward reportedly flew out to Portugal in order to hold face-to-face talks with Benfica officials.
Darwin Nunez managed 40 goals and 26 assists in 143 appearances during his time at Liverpool, but consistently frustrated with his wayward shooting in front of goal. The Reds eventually cut their losses last year, selling him to Al-Hilal for around $62M.
Nunez's time in Saudi Arabia has not gone according to plan since then, having found himself dropped from Al-Hilal's squad midway through his first season in the Middle East. He is now on loan at Al-Diriyah, and has scored three goals in five appearances so far.
Arthur Melo
Undoubtedly the biggest blot on Ward's copybook. Arthur Melo was signed on a season-long loan from Juventus in the summer of 2022, when it became clear Liverpool's midfield needed more legs.
The club didn't get that from the former Barcelona star though. Arthur would play a grand total of 13 minutes for the Reds' senior side before heading back to Italy. Not only the worst of Ward's signings, but probably the worst of Jurgen Klopp's time in charge.
Cody Gakpo
Liverpool sprung something of a surprise when it announced the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven before the January 2023 window had even opened. The Netherlands international impressed during his first few months, scoring seven goals and adding three assists in his first 21 Premier League appearances.
Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo during Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham in September 2026.
Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister were both signed by Julian Ward in his first stint as Liverpool's sporting director(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The following season proved more of a struggle, with Gakpo falling down the pecking order for much of it. He would go on to play an important role in the title win the following year though, scoring 18 goals and adding seven assists across all competitions.
Last season proved to be more difficult for the Dutchman, who saw his goal tally cut by half, and he looked destined to leave Anfield during the summer before a dramatic U-turn. He has subsequently been perhaps Liveprool's top performer so far this season, with two goals and four assists already to his name.
Alexis Mac Allister
Ward had one final signing up his sleeve before he originally left Anfield in 2023. With Jorg Schmadtke ready to step into the breach, Ward helped bring in Alexis Mac Allister as the first signing of a busy summer.
Signed for just $44m ($35m/€40.6m) from Brighton, Mac Allister went on to establish himself as one of Liverpool's most important players in his first season, and was one of the standout performers during the title-winning campaign of 2024/25.
His performances came under scrutiny last season though, and he has gone on to express his disappointment at the club deciding against offering him a new contract. His performances have improved this season, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for him.
An original version of this article was first published on May 11, 2024.