Liverpool want to bring Michael Edwards back to the club and for that to happen he would require complete control of football operations, Paul Joyce has reported.
Edwards is seen as the architect of the Jurgen Klopp era and has been out of football ever since leaving the club in 2022, having rejected approaches from many clubs, including Chelsea.
Liverpool were interested in finding a replacement for Jorg Schmadtke in the sporting director role but since Klopp's exit announcement, their needs have changed.
They want to appoint someone to take charge of the whole club in this transitional period.
The interest in Xabi Alonso is genuine but the club want to appoint a director who will take charge of finding Klopp's successor.
Contract talks for key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah will also take place only after the appointment of a sporting director.
