Carragher names huge priority for new Liverpool transfer chief

Jamie Carragher thinks incoming Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward will have to make reducing the age of the squad his top priority.

It was announced on Wednesday that the Reds’ current sporting director Michael Edwards is to leave the club at the end of the season.

Edwards, who has been a key figure in the Reds’ successful recruitment programme in recent seasons and become something of a transfer guru, is ending his 10-year association as he wants a fresh challenge.

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Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group made repeated unsuccessful attempts to persuade Edwards to extend his contract and therefore Ward, promoted to assistant sporting director over a year ago, will now take over the role in the summer ensuring a smooth transition.

“I had always planned to cap my time at the club to a max of 10 years. I’ve loved working here, but I am a big believer in change,” Edwards wrote in an open letter.

“I think it’s good for the individual and, in a work setting, good for the employer, too.

“Over my time here we have changed so many things (hopefully for the better) but someone new brings a different perspective, new ideas and can hopefully build (or change) on the things that have been put in place beforehand.”

And Carragher now thinks Ward faces a tough task to reduce the age of Jurgen Klopp’s squad with the front three particularly concerning.

“These are big decisions, and tough decisions coming up,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “Liverpool ’s team that started against Atletico Madrid away was the oldest team that has started for decades.

“These players are all getting to 30, and you don’t want the entire team to age at the same time.

“At some stage, the front three and other areas of the team will need breaking up.

“We’ve seen that with Ibrahima Konate coming in, Diogo Jota coming in last season, but you’d expect Liverpool will look to bring a midfield player in in the summer.

Carragher added: “You can’t allow the front three to get old together – I think in the summer that’s the area where you’ve got to be looking to the future.

“You don’t necessarily break it up, because it’s started so fantastically well this season, and though Jota has made a big impact, I’d like to see one more.”