Grading Every Julian Ward Transfer at Liverpool from Boss to Trash
Liverpool Blog
Return of the Ward
Liverpool confirmed via their official website and social channels that Julian Ward has been appointed as the clubs' Sporting Director, succeeding Richard Hughes.
Liverpool FC can confirm Julian Ward has been appointed the club’s sporting director.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 26, 2026
Ward, who most recently served as Fenway Sports Group’s technical director, takes up his new position with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/2J2SIQoVq3
Ward was recently Fenway Sports Group's Technical Director and the club have revealed he will start his new position "with immediate effect".
Ward is no stranger to FSG and Liverpool, having "initially joined the club's football operation in 2012", where he was involved with player scouting, recruitment and development.
He previously served as Assistant Sporting Director then Chief Sporting Director in the early 2020's before stepping down in the summer of 2023.
With that in mind, what better way to assess his credentials than to review every one of his signings during his first spell as Sporting Director.
Luis Díaz - £43m (January 2022)
The Colombian was Ward's first signing at Liverpool, arriving from FC Porto to Merseyside in January 2022, at a time when Liverpool's media team were publicly mocked and probably for good reason...
We have completed the signing of Luis Diaz from FC Porto, subject to the successful granting of a work permit and international clearance ✍️😄 #VamosLuis
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 30, 2022
Díaz absolutely hit the ground flying, helping Liverpool go on a quadruple charge where they picked up two domestic cups, narrowly missing out on the Premier League to Man City and the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
He won another League Cup with the Reds in 23/24 before being an essential parto of the team that lifted Premier League title No. 20 in the 24/25 season.
A fan favourite at Anfield, he was greatly missed last campaign after his move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2025.
Transfer Grade: A
Darwin Núñez - £85m (July 2022)
Arguably the most anticipated signing of Ward's first spell, after the Uruguyan caused havoc in the Champions League against Liverpool for Benfica.
He signed for a then club-record fee of £85m and made an immediate impact on his Liverpool debut, scoring in their 3-1 Community Shield win over Man City.
Every Darwin Nunez goal for the Reds 🫶⚽ pic.twitter.com/i8S3BcCAQT
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 9, 2025
Sadly for both the Uruguayan and Liverpool, those types of moments came few and far between, as he failed to live up to the expectations forced upon him.
That being said, when his moments arrived, they were certainly memorable:
- A brace in the 7-0 demolition of Man Utd in 22/23
- A brace away to Newcastle in the most dramatic fashion in 23/24
- A last minute winner (in a VERY literal sense) away to Nottingham Forest in 23/24
- A brace away to Brentford, crucial to the Reds' title in in 24/25
However given the price, the media criticism and constant missed chances...
Transfer Grade: C
Fábio Carvalho - £5m (July 2022)
Carvalho signed for Liverpool from Fulham for around £5m which in all honesty was a no brainer at the time.
He came off the bench to net a 98th minute winner against Newcastle in August 2022, his best moment in a Liverpool shirt.
90+8 😮💨
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 25, 2025
A dramatic late winner from Carvalho in #LIVNEW 22/23 ⏪ pic.twitter.com/hdowWWd6cb
He only played 13 league games that season, prompting loan moves to both RB Leipzig and Hull City in the 23/24 season.
The latter move was enough to secure him a permanent transfer to Brentford for £27.5m. He's been unlucky with injuries and has since stagnated.
Transfer Grade: C
Arthur Melo - Loan (August 2022)
Quite possibly one of the WORST Liverpool signings of all time and even on a loan.
One senior appearance, yes one... for Liverpool and he spent the majority of the time playing in the reserves because he couldn't stay fit and wasn't rated.
Transfer Grade: F
Cody Gakpo - £44m (January 2023)
The Dutchman signed for Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven off the back of a good World Cup where he was top goalscorer for Oranje.
To date, Gakpo has netted 52 goals in 186 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, a respectable return.
Like Díaz, he was an important part in the title winning side where he managed 10 goals and 4 assists in 35 league appearances. He's also been somewhat of a Carabao Cup merchant, scoring virtually everytime he plays in the competition.
His first goal in a Liverpool shirt just like another fellow dutchman, came at home to Everton in the Merseyside derby!
From back to front in a flash ⚡
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 14, 2023
A memorable first Reds goal for Cody Gakpo ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Qr81i8soE8
A very useful player across the frontline, he has proven his worth once again this season.
Transfer Grade: B+
Alexis Mac Allister - £35m (July 2023)
Julian Ward's final signing during his first spell as Sporting Director was Mac Allister, who transfered from Brighton to Liverpool in the summer of 2023, after his release clause of £35m was activated by the Reds.
Ward went beyond the scope of his remit, having agreed to leave his role that summer, in order to ensure the signing was completed.
It has turned out to be great business. Mac Allister has endured two high level seasons both in 23/24 and 24/25, winning both the League Cup and Premier League.
Nicely taken 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/Dot2zHkqXT
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 16, 2026
Like several others, his form fell off a cliff last season but so far this campaign, the Argentine appears to have rediscovered the form which forced Liverpool's hand in the first instance .
On top of that, he seems to love a goal against Real Madrid!
More of that please Macca.
Transfer Grade: A+
Joe Ryan 
Louis Wheeldon 
Jac Jones 