Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward is set leave the club at the end of the season after only 12 months in the Anfield role.

Ward replaced the successful Michael Edwards last summer after being promoted from assistant sporting director.

The 41-year-old led Liverpool's recruitment drive in the summer and was key in the signings of Luis Díaz and Darwin Nunez. He is also understood to have been a key figure in Mo Salah's contractual renewal.

But Ward has chosen to leave as it is understood he wishes to take a break after more than a decade at the club.

His decision was unexpected and is understood to have been greeted with disappointment within the club. And Liverpool are now considering whether to continue with the sporting director model that was first introduced under Edwards in 2016. 

Long-standing senior staff including Dave Fallows (head of recruitment) and Barry Hunter (chief scout) will continue to have a central roles at the club.

The Reds have begun a process to identify which model will be most effective for the future and the it's understood manager Jurgen Klopp, who recently extended his contract until 2026, will play a pivotal role in the process along with chief executive Billy Hogan.

The club's American owners now face a big task to reassure fans there are no alarm bells ringing at Kirkby. But with Edwards gone and Ward vacating his role after 11 years at the club it appears to be a tumultuous period for Liverpool, who are 15 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.