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Julian Ward is on the verge of being reappointed as Liverpool’s sporting director having initially served in the role during the 2022/23 season.
The 45-year-old announced that he would step down from the role at the end of that campaign following six months in the role but returned as Fenway Sports Group’s technical director in the summer of 2024.
Now he is set to return to his old post with Ward the favourite to assume the role afterRichard Hughes moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal earlier this month.
Ward led negotiations for the capture of Luis Diaz in January 2022 shortly before the handover from then departing sporting director, Michael Edwards.
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Meanwhile, he was also responsible for the signing of Alexis Mac Allister in June 2023, staying on for a short period to close the deal and complete his handover to successor, Jorg Schmadtke.
Also responsible for a number of contract extensions, it was Ward who played a vital role in agreeing a big-money extension with Mohamed Salah in July 2022. And with a number of high-profile players out of contract at Anfield next summer and in 2028, he will be quickly thrown into such work again.
While Liverpool have enjoyed a rather busy year in the transfer market, agreeing 16 incoming deals at a combined cost worth up to over £700m over the past two summers, the Reds were not active during Ward’s initial tenure.
Including deals for Diaz and Mac Allister, he oversaw the arrival of eight players as Liverpool parted with up to £225m.
And with Ward now set to return to the post, the ECHO takes a look back at his previous transfer dealings…
Luis Diaz, £49m from FC Porto
The first signing of the Julian Ward era, and one he helped complete before even officially becoming sporting director. With Michael Edwards already confirmed to be stepping down, his replacement-in-waiting helped lead negotiations with Porto as Liverpool swooped to steal his signature from under the nose of Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds had earmarked Luis Diaz as a first-choice option for the summer of 2022, but were forced to bring such plans forward following Spurs’ own move. They would ultimately agree an initial £37m deal with the Portuguese giants, paying an additional £12m in add-ons.
The Colombian was an instant success on Merseyside, helping Liverpool win both domestic cups as they fell agonisingly short of winning an unprecedented quadruple in his first months at the club.
A serious knee injury derailed his 2022/23 campaign, but he returned to form the following season as the Reds won the League Cup.
Meanwhile, he played a starring role under Arne Slot in 2024/25, often playing as a centre-forward as he enjoyed his best individual season for Liverpool, scoring 17 goals in all competitions as the Reds won the Premier League title.
Unable to agree a new contract at Anfield, he left last summer in a £65m deal for Bayern Munich. But boasting 41 goals and 16 assists from 148 appearances for Liverpool, Diaz’s stint with the club is one supporters will never forget.
Verdict: HIT
Ben Gannon-Doak, £600k from Celtic
Liverpool only had to pay a training compensation fee of £600k when bringing in Ben Gannon-Doak from Celtic. Within a few months of joining the club, the then 16-year-old had made his debut for the first team and signed his first professional contract after turning 17.
He made 10 appearances during his three seasons at Anfield, while also impressing on loan at Middlesbrough in the 2024/25 campaign before being struck down by injury.
The Scotland international was sold to Bournemouth in an initial £20m move in August 2025. For that fee alone, his signing was a definite success.
Verdict: HIT
Fabio Carvalho, £5m from Fulham
Fabio Carvalho nearly joined Liverpool in January 2022, before it was decided he would instead see out the season with Fulham - helping the Cottagers win promotion in the process - before joining the Reds at the end of his contract.
Signing in an initial £5m deal, the Portugal youth international started brightly with goals against Bournemouth and Newcastle United but struggled for game-time as the months went on.
Loans to RB Leipzig and Hull City followed in the 2023/24 season, before Liverpool banked a significant profit by selling the forward to Brentford in a deal worth up to £27.5m. Not bad, considering the now 24-year-old only made 21 appearances for the Reds, returning three goals.
From a financial point of view, the move was a success for Liverpool. But hopes had been high of Carvalho when he moved to Anfield. On the pitch, he ultimately was never able to contribute as hoped.
Verdict: MISS
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Darwin Nunez, £85m from Benfica
Where to start with Darwin Nunez. Having shone against the Reds in the Champions League during the 2021/22 season, Jurgen Klopp was reportedly desperate to bring the forward to Anfield - though it was suggested that members of the Liverpool recruitment team were perhaps less keen.
The Uruguayan arrived from Benfica in a deal worth up to a club-record £85m and made an instant impact, scoring on his debut against Man City in the Community Shield and maiden Premier League outing against Fulham.
But he was then sent off on his Anfield debut against Crystal Palace for a headbutt on Joachim Andersen. Such a rollercoaster start to his Reds career, it would be a familiar theme throughout his time on Merseyside.
Capable of both scoring spectacular goals and missing the easiest of sitters, Nunez became a firm fan-favourite for his work-rate - but he was also ridiculously frustrating.
He returned 15 and 18 goals in each of his first two seasons at the club, but ultimately fell out of favour following Slot’s arrival as head coach in the summer of 2024.
Utilised predominantly as a substitute, he still produced some big moments as Liverpool won the Premier League title. But it was no surprise when he was sold to Al-Hilal in a deal worth up to £56.6m last summer.
The striker returned 40 goals and 22 assists in 143 appearances for the Reds, and departed as a Premier League champion. But more was expected of the club-record signing.
Verdict: MISS (but only just)
Calvin Ramsay, £4.2m from Aberdeen
Liverpool snapped up Calvin Ramsay in an initial £4.2m move from Aberdeen after the then-teenager had caught the eye north of the border.Yet he was immediately plagued by injuries and ultimately never able to live up to his potential at Anfield.
Disappointing loan moves to Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Kilmarnock followed, before he occupied a fringe role on Merseyside last season.
Having only made four appearances for the Reds, he was sent on loan to St. Mirren for the final year of his contract and will depart Liverpool on a free transfer next summer.
Verdict: MISS
Arthur Melo, Loan (£3.9M) from Juventus
After Liverpool were struck down by midfield injuries at the start of the 2022/23 season, they responded by signing Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus on transfer deadline day.
Yet the Brazilian would make just one substitute appearance for the Reds, totalling just 13 minutes, as he never came close to convincing Liverpool to activate his £32m purchase option.
Soon requiring surgery on a thigh injury, he was sidelined for four months and even when he did return to fitness, he was rarely called upon. Included in five matchday squads, he never made it off the bench while Klopp resisted any urge to give the midfielder a sentimental Premier League debut on the final day of the season.
Will go down as one of Liverpool's worst-ever transfers. Thankfully, he was only on loan.
Verdict: MISS
Cody Gakpo, £40m from PSV Eindhoven
Liverpool completed the surprise signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 following secret talks between Julian Ward and Dutch counterpart Marcel Brands over the festive period.
The Reds had been tracking the forward for some time and brought forward plans to make a summer move for the Dutchman as they agreed a deal worth up to £40m on Boxing Day.
Initially utilised predominantly as a centre-forward, he returned 23 goals during his first 18 months at the club before being restored to his favoured left-wing position following the arrival of Slot.
His compatriot was rewarded with the best season of Gakpo’s Liverpool career as he returned 18 goals during the 2024/25 campaign to help the Reds win the Premier League title.
The forward admittedly struggled last year, and had looked set to leave the club in the summer following interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Man City.
But Liverpool ultimately decided to keep Gakpo, who has started the new season under Andoni Iraola in fine form with two goals and four assists from six appearances.
Boasting 52 goals and 24 appearances in 186 appearances for the Reds to date, his long-term Anfield future perhaps remains a little uncertain following the arrival of Bradley Barcola.
But if this did prove to be Gakpo’s final season at Liverpool, he is ensuring that he would be going out on a high. Regardless, one poor campaign last year does undo everything else he has achieved during his time on Merseyside.
Verdict: HIT
Alexis Mac Allister, £35m from Brighton & Hove Albion
While Julian Ward had already decided to depart as Liverpool sporting director, he did lay much of the groundwork when it came to signing Alexis Mac Allister during his final months at the club.
The Reds ultimately earmarked the midfielder as a key target prior to his performances with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup as they became champions.
A release clause in his Brighton contract helped smooth negotiations as Liverpool closed a £35m deal, with Ward staying on briefly to help conclude the deal.
Mac Allister enjoyed an eye-catching first two seasons on Merseyside, and played a starring role as they won the Premier League in 2024/25.
However, like Cody Gakpo, he struggled during last season - prompting increasing speculation about his future.
The 27-year-old has since returned to form under Andoni Iraola and insisted he wants to sign a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in 2028. While it remains unclear whether he will get his wish, his importance to Liverpool remains crystal clear.
Boasting 21 goals and 21 assists from 157 appearances to date, he will be hungry to add to such totals and prove to the Reds why he believes he is worthy of an extension.