Liverpool’s new era begins: Reds appoint new sporting director Richard Hughes from Bournemouth to hunt for Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, sort out transfers and new contracts under CEO of Football Michael Edwards

Liverpool have made the move to appoint Richard Hughes as sporting director, with Bournemouth’s former transfer chief now leading their search for Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

Mail Sport reported in late January that Hughes was on Liverpool’s radar to replace short-term sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, and the Reds’ decision was heavily influenced by the arrival of Michael Edwards as CEO of Football for owners Fenway Sports Group.

Hughes and Edwards have a long-standing relationship dating back to their time working together at Portsmouth, and the pair also linked up when the former was at Bournemouth.

The first job on Hughes’ inbox will be appointing Klopp’s successor when the German leaves in May. Xabi Alonso is the favorite, and Sporting’s Ruben Amorim is also in consideration.

He will also look at contract talks with star men Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. All three have contracts that expire at the end of next season.

Finding a successor to Jurgen Klopp will be of paramount importance for the Reds ahead of the new season

Xabi Alonso is considered the favorite to inherit Klopp’s place at Anfield for next season

Hughes and Edwards won’t officially start work until after the season, but both are expected to have a major impact going forward. Edwards, for example, was at Old Trafford on Sunday with other Liverpool chiefs.

Klopp revealed last week that he had already spoken to Edwards about the future of the club, but said his former colleague was too smart to try to give him a U-turn on his stay.

‘We had a conversation. Michael and I always had a very good relationship and obviously a lot of good things happened when we were here together. Now that he is back, I am very happy,” said the manager.

“I have often said that I want to see the club in the best possible place after I leave and this is a top solution.

‘Our conversation was great. We talked about a lot of things, how I think about players and different things. What has changed, what perhaps should change.’

Hughes is highly regarded in football circles having boosted Bournemouth’s recruitment campaign in recent years, helping them punch above their weight in the Premier League.

Liverpool had hoped to complete the pair’s transfers by the end of March and were successful.

Roma had also expressed interest in luring Hughes to Italy as they looked for a successor to Tiago Pinto, who left the club last month.

Hughes spent part of his childhood in Italy and is fluent in Italian, which had been an obvious draw for the Serie A club.