KIRKBY, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool signing a contract extension with Michael Gordon President of Fenway Sports Group and Julian Ward assistant sporting director of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on April 28, 2022 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Julian Ward is back as Liverpool's sporting director and he has plenty in his in-tray (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View 4 Images
Last month it was confirmed that Julian Ward would be returning to Liverpool as sporting director. Ward was previously serving as Fenway Sports Group's technical director but took the sporting director position for the second time after Richard Hughes's long-anticipated move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal was announced.
“Having been part of Liverpool’s football operation for more than a decade, I have a full appreciation and first-hand knowledge of the challenge that comes with the position, as well as a clear understanding of the demands and ambitions of this great club," Ward said.
“This is an exciting period for Liverpool – on and off the pitch – in which change and opportunity go hand in hand, but at the same time the culture, values and principles that have underpinned the club for so long remain as strong as ever.
READ MORE: Lewis Koumas eyes another milestone as 'contagious' Liverpool star impresses two bosses
“As a football club, we will continue to create an environment that maximises performance while promoting the continued development of our players and our people."
Ward has worked for FSG for 14 years on and off in a variety of roles and held the position of sporting director during the 2022/23 campaign before stepping away.
He enters a club in transition in a number of key areas, including his own, and there is much to address in the coming weeks and months. Here, the ECHO takes a closer look at what just might be on his early to-do list at Liverpool:
Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker futures
With a whopping 719 combined appearances, only Mohamed Salah rivals what Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk have done for Liverpool on the pitch in the modern era.
Both players were emblems of the Jurgen Klopp era and a wildly successful period between 2019 and 2022 when the club lifted every top-level trophy available. They were also totems of the Arne Slot team that cantered to the Premier League title in 2025.
Van Dijk turned 35 in July but remains as important as ever as club captain and few supporters are likely ready to contemplate a world at Anfield without Alisson, who is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Reds history.
But with both in the final year of their respective contracts, Ward must determine their plans and whether the club believe extensions are due for two players in their mid-30s.
Van Dijk was asked after the recent 1-0 win over Bournemouth whether he had spoken to Liverpool about the prospect of a new deal but the centre-back revealed it was too early to begin those negotiations.
"Already?" Van Dijk asked with a smile when the question was put to him at the Vitality on September 20. "No, I am just focusing on the present. There is nothing to report on that."
Arne Slot has made a positive start to his Liverpool career and is now pushing on at international level with France and big things are expected of Giovanni Leoni when the teenager gets up to speed again but Van Dijk remains the patriarchal figure in this Reds' squad.
Alisson, meanwhile, is as vital as ever, even with Giorgi Mamardashvili waiting in the wings and Lucca Brughmans set to arrive next summer. Deciding the future for both players will be a big job for Ward.
Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker of Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker of Liverpool(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
View 4 Images
Rio Ngumoha deal
Discussions with Rio Ngumoha's representatives are ongoing as Liverpool aim to tie down the 18-year-old to a new deal after his milestone birthday in late August.
Ngumoha signed his first professional contract after turning 17, with the general plan in place to improve the terms and the length when he turned 18.
Many had expected that to be a formality after his most recent birthday on August 29 but over a month later, there has been no public confirmation from Liverpool about a new contract for the teenage winger.
Ngumoha became the third youngest player of all time to earn a competitive England cap when he featured as a substitute in the win over Czechia on Tuesday, meaning only Jude Bellingham and Wayne Rooney received their caps earlier in their development.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rio Ngumoha of England during the UEFA Nations League match against Czechia
Rio Ngumoha came on as a substitute in England's Nations League win over Czechia(Image: Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
View 4 Images
That, in my ways, shows the sort of player Liverpool have on their hands and why the next contract has to be perfect for all parties.
Bayern Munich were tentatively interested in the summer and there has even been curious speculation regarding admiration from Arsenal, but Liverpool remain determined to tie down Ngumoha to a deal commensurate with his progress over the past 12 months and his current standing in the squad at Anfield.
It's an issue Ward won't want to let drag on for longer than is necessary.
Alexis Mac Allister issue
Alexis Mac Allister admitted last month that he was disappointed not to have been tabled a new deal by Liverpool.
This year has seen both Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai sign new contracts, players who were brought to the club the same summer of the Argentina midfielder.
Speaking the before he scored the winning goal in the 2-1 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid last month, Mac Allister said: "There was a chance (I could leave in the summer) as everyone knows.
"I received the news the club was not in position to offer me a new contract which of course makes me very, very sad.
"There wasn't any direct conversation with me, it was with my agent. I don't want to say things they never said, but what I got from my agent is they weren't in a position to renew me.
"It's really sad, we won the Premier League together and went through difficult times as well together and I always give my best. We will see what happens but of course it makes me sad.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool speaks to Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister, unlike midfield partner Dominik Szoboszlai, has not been handed a new Liverpool contract(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
View 4 Images
"Everybody can see I give my 100% for this football club every single day in training, games. Of course, I have very good games and bad games like everyone but always I give my best.
"I see Dominik and Ryan renewing their contracts and that makes me very happy because they deserve it, but at the same time it makes me a little bit sad as I didn't get mine.
"Of course there is still time. We will see what happens."
Mac Allister turns 28 on Christmas Eve and on the back of a disappointing campaign last season, Liverpool have kept their powder dry regarding the midfielder's terms.
A recent upturn in form under Andoni Iraola has been encouraging but Ward, whose relationship with the player's agent was instrumental in Liverpool winning the race for Mac Allister at Brighton in 2023, will now take a considered assessment before the next move is decided.
Plug the gaps
Liverpool were always likely to appoint internally for the sporting director position once Hughes walked away two years into the three-term deal he signed in 2024.
It was reported that FSG spoke to Brentford technical director Lee Dykes and sporting director Phil Giles during the process but the smart money was always on the Boston-based owners looking inwards.
They were delighted to rehire Ward as sporting director and were disappointed their association was cut short in 2022 when he handed in his notice just a few months into the role.
Back then, it was argued that Ward simply wanted to spend more time with his young family after years at the coalface of a club as demanding as Liverpool.
The fact that he spent December 24, 25 and 26 working on a deal to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV the following January was indicative of how tough the role can be at times.
But Ward is back in situ and ready to work with chief scout Barry Hunter, assistant sporting director David Woodfine and FSG's Pedro Marques, who holds the role of director of football development.
FSG never really wanted to lose Ward as their sporting director to begin with. The fact that he has worked for them for so long, while also being headhunted over two years ago to become their technical director speaks to how much the owners trust the Aintree-born analyst.
Hughes's departure saw him take head of scouting operations Craig McKee and head of technical scouting Mark Burchill with him to the Middle East, so Ward might have to interview for some important recruitment-based roles behind the scenes.
Ensure our latest news and what's on headlines always appear at the top of your Google search by making us a preferred source. Click here to activate or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings.