WARD-A LOT TO DO! - 5 things in Julian Ward's in-tray as incoming Liverpool chief left with major van Dijk dilemma

Liverpool are set for yet another period of change with Julian Ward set to be appointed as the club’s new sporting director. The 45-year-old is set to step into the role as a replacement for Richard Hughes, who left earlier this month to join Al-Hilal.

Michael Edwards has also moved on, having left his role as the chief executive officer of football at the club’s FSG owners. Following a long search, Liverpool have now chosen to promote Ward from FSG’s technical director - and he is expected to be very busy indeed once he steps into the job.

With the Reds in the opening weeks of a new era with Andoni Iraola still finding his feet as the club's head coach, Ward will play an influential role in shaping with the future at Anfield looks like.

Take a look at the pressing matters in Ward's in-tray as he prepares to take the reins:

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Having already been at Liverpool and FSG, Ward already has a good idea of what the club’s approach is going to be in the transfer market. But what he needs to decide is whether he wants to keep it the same or alter it slightly.

The Reds have not been afraid to splash the cash over recent seasons, with the big-money acquisitions of Hugo Ekitike, Bradley Barcola and Alexander Isak.

Of course, that kind of strategy is not sustainable when utilised every single season. So Ward and Liverpool’s recruitment team might have to look to more affordable players going forwards.

Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has made his complaints over a potential new contract known over recent days. He claimed that he was ‘very, very sad’ after being told that the Reds were not in a position to offer him a new deal.

And while he remains happy at the club, Liverpool might have to make a decision soon. Mac Allister has two years remaining on his current contract so the Reds might have to decide to sell if they cannot extend his stay.

If they can, they need to get moving soon or they will risk Mac Allister entering his final year and he could well become another big-money star to leave the club for nothing.

Speaking of players set to leave for nothing, Liverpool could have a host of first-team stars departing in just eight months’ time. Alisson and Virgil van Dijk have both been pivotal for Liverpool over the past few years but see their respective deals expire at the end of the season.

They could be joined by Wataru Endo, Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas. It goes without saying that some decisions have to be made.

Whether that be new deals or emotional farewells, those calls need to be made by Ward and possibly soon as it could dictate what Liverpool do either in January or the following summer window.

It goes without saying that Liverpool could be set to lose a huge chunk of experience should both Alisson and Van Dijk leave. And not just that, they would be losing their leadership and their dressing room influence.

Put simply, that needs addressing. Dominik Szoboszlai would emerge as the most likely candidate to claim the captain’s armband but other than him, Liverpool desperately need more experience.

Whether that be players with Premier League experience or indeed European, the Reds need to look into the market for stars that add to their leadership group. And that falls on Ward and his scouting team.

While signings will of course be one of the main responsibilities that Ward will have to consider, another aspect of the squad that he needs to consider is the amount of young players in contention.

The Reds have the likes of Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and more chomping at the bit for first-team football at Anfield. And should they not receive it, they could be tempted to look elsewhere - Ngumoha has already been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Ward needs to open up dialogue with the duo, and those following in their footsteps, to ensure their futures remain on Merseyside and there is a tangible path into the first team.