Liverpool
FSG pull off masterstroke by hiring two of Man City’s key transfer gurus to transform Liverpool
It’s 12 years since the quiet backbone of Liverpool’s recruitment department started roles that would help change the Reds fortunes.
While the departure of Jurgen Klopp was the catalyst for Liverpool’s changing of the guard to go into overdrive earlier this year, the club has found itself in a state of flux behind the scenes for the best part of two years.
The 2022 departure of then sporting director Michael Edwards resulted in apprentice Julian Ward moving into the position, only for the Aintree-born analyst to hand in his notice in later that year alongside Dr Ian Graham, who was then the director of research at Anfield.
Jorg Schmadtke came and went well inside a year of his own 12-month agreement to be the temporary sporting director before Klopp’s announcement of his end-of-season exit was followed by the returns of Edwards and Ward, more specifically into the Fenway Sports Group fold. Richard Hughes was appointed as sporting director and Arne Slot succeeded Klopp to become the club’s first ‘head coach’.
Edwards’s comeback was the point at which FSG president Mike Gordon took a significant step back as the club’s day-to-day owner, while Hughes also brought Mark Burchill with him from Bournemouth’s scouting department.
Slot arrived with a slew of his own coaches, in John Heitinga, Sipke Hulshoff and Ruben Peeters, to restructure the backroom staff further while Fabian Otte was taken on the club’s head of goalkeeping and Aaron Briggs was brought in to link the academy to the senior setup.
If the rate of turnover has been quite dizzying over the last couple of years, Liverpool have at least been able to benefit from the continuity of Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter remaining in their respective roles in the recruitment department.
Little is known about either Anfield operative and the specifics of their work but those with knowledge of the pair say both have been integral to the success enjoyed by the club in the transfer window over much of the last decade.
Writing in his 2021 open letter to Liverpool supporters on the club’s official website, Edwards said: “Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter joined Liverpool the year after me and they have been integral in building a world-class scouting department.
“For those who don’t know Barry – and there can’t be many – he was a hard-hitting Northern Irish centre-back who has a contacts book that reads like a who’s who of football. He is always on the go and could put away more food than the average male elephant.
“Dave is simply Google, I’ve never known anyone with a memory like his or an ability to think outside of the box when innovative solutions are required.”
It’s now 12 years since the pair got to work on Merseyside, with respected website LFCHistory.net confirming the duo started their roles on September 12, 2012. It was the advent for what would come to be known colloquially as the ‘transfer committee’ at Anfield and initially that term came to be viewed as an unflattering one, often used as a stick to beat the club with whenever a transfer didn’t work out.
Under Brendan Rodgers, it was a phrase that became shorthand for the contrasting ideologies that existed within the club between Graham and his team of data analysts and Rodgers, whose more traditional values often clashed with the number-crunching.
Fallows arrived from a role as City’s first-team scouting and recruitment co-ordinator, having spent some time at Bolton Wanderers previously.
“The traditional role of a scout, where they went to a match and kept all the knowledge in their head rarely exists in modern day scouting structures,” Fallows has previously explained.
He said in 2010, while at Bolton: “My role is primarily to co-ordinate all aspects of our scouting department, which includes liaising with scouts, fixture planning, managing the constant stream of reports coming in and effectively linking everything together.”
At Bolton, he regularly worked in a place Sam Allardyce and his staff came to informally refer to as ‘the War Room’ and was said to have been given the nickname ‘Fingers Fallows’ by the then Trotters and one-time England boss, due to how often he would be assessing information on a laptop.
“The War Room was where we planned our strategy and analysed our data on a big screen,” Allardyce wrote in his book, branding it “the Oxford University of football”. Fallows was a key part of why it was such a revered workplace in Allardyce’s eyes.
Hunter played for four years at international level for Northern Ireland and turned out for Crusaders in his homeland before signing for Wrexham in 1993. Reading bought him for £400,000 three years later and it was with the Royals where he got to know Rodgers. Hunter joined Blackburn Rovers as a senior scout in 2006 and did a similar job for Norwich City before moving to City in 2008.
He was City’s chief scout for Italy, Switzerland and Russia but at Liverpool he follows up recommendations from regional scouts and draws up detailed reports on players who the Reds are tracking. It has been suggested both left City due to the roles at Anfield being more about pursuing players for the longer term, rather than the setup at the Etihad over a decade ago, where the free-spending champions were committing to already established talent.
Like virtually every member of Liverpool’s recruitment department, the external noise is drowned out by their own work. In the summer of 2019, the Reds were European champions and the clamour to spend big on an already impressive squad was growing as the transfer window ticked along.
Rather than pursue several high-priced gambles to integrate into a squad that had just collected 97 Premier League points, however, Liverpool’s first arrival of their window as Champions League holders was a 17-year-old Dutch defender who had barely played senior football.
It was Fallows and Hunter who were the driving forces behind the £1.3m capture of Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle in the summer of 2019, as Liverpool fought off strong interest from Bayern Munich to land the teenager. Five years later he was sold for a fee that could rise up to £25m after just four senior appearances, two of which were youth teams in all but name.
Four years prior to Van den Berg’s addition, Fallows and Hunter combined to bring James Milner from their previous club Manchester City on a free transfer, just months before Klopp arrived at Anfield himself.
With Steven Gerrard set to leave the club, the pair knew from first-hand experience about the mentality and the standards Milner would be able to imprint on to the first-team squad on Merseyside and they felt he was being hugely undervalued at the Etihad. Milner left in the summer of 2023 having been the vice-captain during a period where the Reds lifted every major trophy.
The pair also supported Julian Ward across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day of 2022 when the club were locked in talks with PSV Eindhoven to secure Cody Gakpo in a £37m deal, while it was purported that it was Hunter’s determination that was the biggest factor to getting a deal over the line for Joe Gomez in the summer of 2015.
Most famously, it is the work of Fallows and Hunter that was publicly credited by Jurgen Klopp in the early days of Mohamed Salah’s time with the Reds. The Egyptian started his career on Merseyside in blistering style and Klopp was keen to give full praise for twisting his arm and agreeing to bring in the now legendary No.11.
“The scouting department was really behind me, and wanted to do it even earlier so that nobody could jump in!” Klopp said in 2017. “We were sure he can help us. Michael Edwards, Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter, they were really in my ear and were on it: ‘Come on, come on, Mo Salah, he’s the solution!’”
As the club’s leading scorer in the Premier League era and someone who sits fifth in the all-time list behind just Billy Liddell, Gordon Hodgson, Roger Hunt and Ian Rush, Klopp’s credit for Fallows and Hunter only gets better with time.
The revolving door of staff across various departments in the last two years has been offset by the long-standing working practices established at the club by Hunter and Fallows, who are hugely respected by those working across all areas of the club.
Liverpool
Liverpool ‘make decision’ on allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to join Real Madrid early ahead of Club World Cup
Liverpool have reportedly made a decision on whether to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to join Real Madrid early.
After months of speculation, it was confirmed earlier in the month that Alexander-Arnold will depart Anfield this summer, upon the expiration of his contract.
The 26-year-old explained his decision to leave his boyhood club in an emotional video posted on social media.
He said: “This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.”
It is widely expected that Alexander-Arnold will join Spanish giants Madrid on a free transfer upon leaving Liverpool.
As things stand, Alexander-Arnold’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire on June 30.
However, Madrid would like him to join the club before that, as the FIFA Club World Cup is set to begin on June 15.
In order for that to happen, it has been reported that the two clubs could discuss a fee for Alexander-Arnold’s early release.
Now, as reported by Spanish news outlet Diario AS, via Madrid Zone on social media, Madrid will pay Liverpool €2 million for Alexander-Arnold and he will join the club before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Fabrizio Romano wrote on social media: “Real Madrid have offered €2M to Liverpool for Trent to play at the Clubs World Cup, reports Diario AS.”
During Liverpool’s first match since Alexander-Arnold’s exit was confirmed, the 26-year-old was booed as he replaced Conor Bradley against Arsenal.
Reacting to the boos, Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah was left unimpressed.
He said: “I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him.
“I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.”
Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Monday night when they take on Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX.
Liverpool
Mo Salah hits out at Liverpool fans over their treatment of Trent Alexander-Arnold and makes request to fans
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has given his take on the actions of the club’s supporters who decided to boo Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, was greeted with a chorus of boos from some sections of the home supporters inside Anfield when he was introduced in the second half of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal last Sunday.
This came just under a week on from his announcement, which confirmed that he will leave his hometown club upon the expiration of his contract in June 2025.
It must be stated that some fans chose to applaud the right-back while others sang the names of Conor Bradley and Steven Gerrard.
And it’s fair to say the actions of the supporters, in particular the booing, has divided opinion.
“I’m surprised how many [booed],” former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher said when he spoke on Sky Sports last Sunday.
“For me, I don’t believe any player putting on that red shirt who goes on to win trophies should be being booed.
“Booing one of your own players while they’re playing is not for me.”
On Friday (May 16), Salah gave an interview to former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, which was released via Sky Sports, and he did not hold back with his words on the treatment of Alexander-Arnold.
Salah said: “I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him.
“I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.”
When pressed on whether the boos saddened him, he added: “Absolutely. I was surprised because this is not how we act as Liverpool fans.
“We shouldn’t act this way with anyone who always appreciates the people, who came here even for six months.
“Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It’s shouldn’t be like this. I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell.”
The Egyptian continued: “I told him [Alexander-Arnold] yesterday don’t give me eye contact in your farewell.
“I really love him. I think he deserves the best farewell leaving the club. He has done a lot for the city and done a lot for the club and he’s one of probably the best players in the club’s history. He gave it all.
“I think he needed a new challenge. He spoke to me about it. It’s his decision for sure. He’s 25, 26 years old and won it all twice or three times. What more can he have done?
“He just needs to go, change and challenge himself. People don’t know about it much but he spent 20 years in the club.
“It’s so tough mentally for someone to be 20 years in a club. Yeah I do love the place but going every day to the same place for 20 years, mentally you could get depressed.
“I really wish him the best. I’ll always be in contact with him.”
Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid – although this has not been confirmed.
Liverpool
Liverpool have ‘noticed’ player behaving like Trent Alexander-Arnold and are ‘afraid’ he’ll follow right-back to Real Madrid
Liverpool have reportedly noticed one of their players is ‘behaving’ like Trent Alexander-Arnold, with fears growing that he could follow the Englishman to Real Madrid.
Earlier in the month, it was confirmed that Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
The full-back confirmed his decision by posting an emotional video on social media.
During Liverpool’s first match since Alexander-Arnold’s exit was confirmed, the 26-year-old was booed as he replaced Conor Bradley against Arsenal.
It has been widely reported that Alexander-Arnold will join Spanish giants Madrid upon the expiration of his Liverpool contract.
On the back of the Alexander-Arnold saga, it has been claimed that another Liverpool star could also be lured away by Los Blancos.
French defender Ibrahima Konate will be a free agent in the summer of 2026 and is yet to sign a new deal with Liverpool.
Recently, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano said: “Ibrahima Konate is in negotiations over a new deal [with Liverpool] but there is still no full agreement on some crucial points.
“Real Madrid have decided to go strongly on a new centre-back for the summer transfer window… important to mention that Konate is another name on Madrid’s list. He’s out of contract in 2026, so it’s for sure a situation to follow.”
As reported by Spanish news outlet MARCA, Liverpool are ‘experiencing a very strange feeling’ from Konate and are beginning to ‘detect ghosts very similar to those they felt just a year ago, when Alexander Arnold began to turn his back on the proposal.
Madrid are said to be closing in on a deal to sign Bournemouth’s young defender Dean Huijsen.
Romano wrote on social media: “Dean Huijsen’s camp, still in Madrid today to get the deal done with final details being sorted.
“Almost there.”
Madrid are back in La Liga action this weekend when they take on Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
Liverpool may have taken a major step forward in the race for one of Europe’s most exciting talents, following a covert meeting that has only now come to light.
German football insider Christian Falk, via The Daily Briefing on Substack, revealed that the Wirtz family — representatives of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz — recently flew to England, visiting both Blackpool and Manchester, where a meeting with Liverpool is believed to have taken place.
Taking off at 10am aboard a private Embraer Legacy 550 jet and returning via a discreet Dutch-German airstrip, the family’s movements were tracked and exposed as part of the German journalist’s latest report.
While Manchester City have already made their move, it’s understood the Reds may now be ahead in the race for the 21-year-old playmaker.
Paul Joyce also shared a belief that the Reds were ready to make a ‘strong pitch’ to the player in order to lure him to Anfield.
Florian Wirtz is wanted by many top clubs in Europe
The Germany international, under contract until 2027, is also wanted by Bayern Munich, who still feel confident they’ll land him either this summer or in 2026.
But with Liverpool now in the conversation — and reportedly further ahead than Pep Guardiola’s side — hopes are rising that the club could pull off a major coup.
David Ornstein shared his insight on a ‘growing confidence’ from the Reds that we could pull off an interesting transfer.
It’s not the first time the 2003-born midfielder has been linked with a move to the Premier League, but this is the clearest sign yet that Liverpool are positioning themselves seriously.
Wirtz would represent a statement signing for what is expected to be a very busy summer for the Reds.
With Blackpool as the unexpected backdrop and Manchester as the meeting point, this one could quietly be heating up behind the scenes.
Liverpool
Liverpool talent pens emotional letter ahead of imminent exit – ‘it pains me to let you down’
Latest Liverpool news as midfielder Stefan Bajcetic writes an emotional message to Las Palmas fans after their relegation from La Liga was confirmed
Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has penned an emotional message after Las Palmas’ relegation to the La Liga 2. The Spaniard has been on loan in the Canary Islands after his ill-fated temporary spell with RB Salzburg.
The 20-year-old was allowed a loan move at the beginning of Arne Slot’s tenure after he was forced to sit out of the majority of Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge of Liverpool through injury. He followed former Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders to Austria, however his time was cut short during the Janaury transfer window after he was limited to 895 minutes in 19 appearances.
He joined Las Palmas and was immediately thrust into a relegation battle as they looked to avoid relegation from the Spanish top-flight.
In a post on Instagram, he expressed his sadness at failing to help his loan side avoid the drop and thanked supporters.
“These are tough days for everyone, but especially for you, the fans,” he wrote.
“We haven’t been able to achieve our goal of staying in the league you deserve. In four months, I’ve realised how much this club’s fans love, and it pains me deeply to have let you down.
I’m sure you’ll return to where this club belongs, and I’ll always be cheering you on as one of your own.
“Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all the support and for always being there.”
He has scored one goal in 14 appearances for Las Palmas, coming in the 3-1 defeat at Mallorca, in a much-needed loan spell as he looks to re-establish himself as a first-team option.
Speaking at the time of his arrival, he expressed his desire to improve as a player with the club.
“It was important that the players on loan are also playing and increasing their value here,” he said after joining.
“Las Palmas is a team that plays good football and gives opportunities to players who come on loan.
“I hope there will be some for me too. Considering things, it was the best option for me, I want to grow as a footballer.
“I think I can improve here.
“I spoke with the coach (Diego Martinez) before signing, and from the start, he gave me a lot of confidence.
“He is also from Vigo, like me.
“He asked me to bring the attitude I have from my ‘Serbian side’.
“To come with attitude and commitment, and I told him that will not be lacking.
“I’m ready to play right away. If the coach gives me the chance, I’ll be there. “
How Isaac Kearney Melted Hearts at Anfield and Inspired Millions Worldwide
In a season filled with records and unforgettable moments, one story stood out beyond the goals, trophies, and fanfare—the heartwarming journey of Isaac Kearney, a young Liverpool fan whose courage and joy touched the entire football world.
As part of Liverpool FC’s Red Together initiative under The Red Way, the club spotlighted Isaac’s inspiring story to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Isaac, who lives with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the day with his heroes, including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
But it wasn’t just any visit. Isaac got to walk out at Anfield, hand-in-hand with his idols—a moment that not only made headlines but also made history.
The emotional video of his experience captured the hearts of fans globally, racking up a jaw-dropping 122 million views and 12.4 million engagements across social media. It became part of Liverpool’s most engaged day ever online and contributed to the club setting a new record as the most-engaged Premier League club in 2023–24, with over 1.5 billion total engagements.
What made Isaac’s moment even more powerful was its impact beyond football. The story sparked a five-year high in Google searches for Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, raising awareness and bringing hope to countless families around the world.
Through Isaac’s smile, courage, and pure love for the Reds, Liverpool FC didn’t just show their commitment to diversity and inclusion—they reminded the world that football is for everyone.
Isaac Kearney may be small in stature, but he now stands tall in the hearts of millions.
Liverpool
Liverpool at “final stages” of transfer negotiations, player set to accept 5-yr deal to join Reds
Liverpool at “final stages” of transfer negotiations, player set to accept 5-yr deal to join Reds
Liverpool are set to finalise the transfer of Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong as they aim to wrap everything up before their final game of the season against Crystal Palace.
Sources have revealed to CaughtOffside that talks are now at the “final stages” as the Reds see off competition from Manchester City for the Dutchman’s signature.
Frimpong has quickly been identified as the unanimous choice within the club to replace the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The England international is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, and CaughtOffside have also been told that Frimpong would have been a target for the Spanish giants if they’d missed out on the incoming free agent.
Jeremie Frimpong to join Liverpool for €40m on five-year contract
CaughtOffside can reveal that Liverpool are set to trigger Frimpong’s €40m release clause at Leverkusen, with the player set to accept a five-year contract at Anfield.
Personal terms between LFC and Frimpong have been largely agreed, with just commission with his agents left to be settled, and no issues anticipated.
Liverpool have been eager to work quickly to get this signing done, especially with the awareness that other top clubs like Man City have also been monitoring Frimpong’s situation.
The 24-year-old looks an ideal fit for Arne Slot’s side and it’s hard to imagine a better candidate out there to take on the difficult task of replacing someone like Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool take advantage of Leverkusen crisis
It’s far from surprising to see a big name like Frimpong leaving Leverkusen when manager Xabi Alonso has also just confirmed he’ll be moving on at the end of this campaign.
This will also surely see other key players leaving the Bundesliga club, with Florian Wirtz looking like another one to watch.
Liverpool have done well to capitalise here, with Frimpong potentially looking like a real bargain after his success in his time in Germany.
Liverpool
Liverpool ‘willing to use’ Federico Chiesa in controversial swap deal for ex-Premier League star
Liverpool ‘willing to use’ Federico Chiesa in controversial swap deal for ex-Premier League star
Liverpool could use Federico Chiesa as part of a controversial swap deal to sign a former Premier League star this summer.
Liverpool plan to strengthen their Premier League-winning squad following their stunning campaign this season.
Arne Slot will be forced to recruit a new right-back following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave the club once his contract expires this summer, with Jeremie Frimpong on the verge of signing for the Reds after they discovered a genius loophole.
Liverpool barely dipped into the transfer market before the 2024/25 campaign as Slot brought in Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili, who penned a pre-contract agreement to join in 2025.
Chiesa, who joined Liverpool for £12.5 million from Juventus, has made 13 appearances this season, including just five Premier League outings.
His future has been the subject of intense transfer speculation, with widespread reports linking him with a move away from Anfield.
And it appears Liverpool could use the Italian winger as part of a deal to bring Ademola Lookman back to the Premier League.
That’s according to Quotidiano Sportivo, who claim Liverpool could use Chiesa as makeweight in a transfer for Atalanta’s Lookman.
Atalanta signed Lookman from RB Leipzig for £12.6 million in the summer of 2022.
The Nigerian international, who enjoyed loan spells at Fulham and Leicester City, has starred in Italy and is a vital member of Atalanta’s set-up.
Lookman, 27, has Premier League experience, having played for Liverpool’s cross-town rivals Everton.
He was on the books at Everton from 2016 to 2019. He was snapped up from Charlton Athletic for an initial £7.5 million before being sold to RB Leipzig.
Lookman would bolster Liverpool’s options up front and could represent an ideal transfer considering he has already plied his trade in England’s top flight.
Slot is set to be active this summer when the transfer window reopens.
On potential incomings, he said: “We have just won the league, we were so competitive v PSG, it is not easy to find better players to improve us. They need to be available, and we need to be able to afford them.”
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