Liverpool secured their first Premier League win of the season with a 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town on Friday, easing pressure on manager Andoni Iraola after a difficult start. Goals from Alexander Isak inside the opening nine minutes took the Sweden international's tally to three in as many games. The Reds had opened the campaign with successive draws, conceding four goals, including a point at Newcastle and a frustrating draw against Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Sporting director search begins after Richard Hughes exit
Liverpool have started looking for a new sporting director after Richard Hughes officially stepped down from the role over the weekend. Hughes joined from Bournemouth in 2024 and oversaw significant recruitment, including last summer's £450million spending spree. Liverpool broke the British transfer record twice during that window, signing Florian Wirtz for £116m before bringing in Isak for £125m.
According to The Athletic, technical director Julian Ward is among the candidates being considered. Ward joined Liverpool in 2012 as a scout, was promoted to assistant sporting director in 2020, and succeeded Michael Edwards as sporting director two years later. He oversaw the arrivals of Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, and was involved in the £75m signing of Darwin Nunez. Assistant sporting director David Woodfine and FSG director of football development Pedro Marques are also understood to be under consideration, with an external appointment also possible.
Gakpo tipped for prominent role after £80m bid rejected
Former Liverpool star Jason McAteer believes Cody Gakpo could have an important part to play this season, despite an uncertain summer. Liverpool rejected an £80m bid from Manchester City towards the end of the transfer window. The arrival of Bradley Barcola had appeared to push Gakpo down the pecking order, but Gakpo has scored once and provided three assists in his opening three games.
"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." McAteer added that the right-hand side is "still up for grabs" and that Gakpo will get plenty of game time, either filling in down the middle if Isak is out, or operating on the right.
