Speaking on The Athletic’s YouTube channel, David Ornstein has been discussing the structure at Liverpool after it was reported that Julian Ward will be leaving the club.
The Reds’ Sporting Director is set to leave Anfield at the end of the season, and many are wondering where the Merseyside club will turn next.
A move for Sven Mislintat has been touted, but according to Ornstein, an in-house solution may be in order.
Indeed, the journalist says that off the back of this Ward news, Jurgen Klopp’s power at the club has increased, stating that the manager is himself leading the pursuit for Jude Bellingham.
Klopp more powerful
Ornstein shared what he knows about Klopp.
“Jurgen Klopp, as we understand it, has been leading this pursuit himself. And his power within the Liverpool hierarchy has now increased with the news that Julian Ward, Liverpool’s Sporting Director, will step down at the end of the season,” Ornstein said.
“A number of other changes, including his new contract, have really brought him to the fore before his predecessor Michael Edwards left too.”
Bodes well for Bellingham
Whether or not giving Klopp more power is a wise idea remains to be seen, but this could bode well for the Reds’ pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
Klopp himself has publicly admitted that he’s a huge fan of the England midfielder, while the German’s strong ties with Borussia Dortmund may help him in negotiations here.
As with any industry, transfers in football can sometimes be about who you know, not what you know, and Klopp knows Dortmund like the back of his hand.
Many of his co-workers from his time at the club are still there, and while there are no favours in this game, selling Bellingham to Klopp may be more palatable than selling him to anyone else for the decision makers at Dortmund.
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