Liverpool's first signing under Julian Ward has just become clear.

The Reds are returning to what has worked before. With the Michael Edwards era now over and Richard Hughes moving on as well, Ward has become the Reds' next sporting director.

Ward has become an important part of Liverpool's operations behind the scenes. He worked in a role helping Edwards and Hughes and also working closely alongside Pedro Marques as well.

Ward who previously worked at Man City, has been in the sporting director seat before. He resigned after just one year taking over from Edwards.

In that on year, Ward secured a new contract for Mo Salah and brought in a lot of exciting players including Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.

Now, he's got a big task ahead of him.

One of the most important decisions Ward has to make is whether or not to extend Virgil van Dijk's contract. Liverpool allowed Mo Salah and Andy Robertson leave on a free last summer.

Do they want to allow Van Dijk to leave in the same way? Alongside Alisson Becker, who is also set to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract.