Liverpool closing in on Julian Ward return as Leoni nears training comeback
Where things stand: international break
Liverpool head into a three-week international break sitting sixth in the Premier League after picking up a 1-0 away win at Bournemouth on 20 September β their most recent result. Alexander Isak, the club's top scorer this season with four goals in all competitions, notched the only goal of the game at the Vitality Stadium to keep Andoni Iraola's side in contention at the top end of the table.
Iraola's first season under way
This is the first campaign under head coach Andoni Iraola, who was handed a two-year contract back in June 2026 after Arne Slot departed Anfield. The Spaniard has already overseen wins over Ipswich Town (2-0 away in the Premier League), Tottenham Hotspur (3-1 at home in the EFL Cup), and AtlΓ©tico Madrid (2-1 at home in the UEFA Champions League league phase), with the Reds now preparing to face LASK in their next Champions League outing in October.
Injury update: Leoni light at the end of the tunnel
Good news is emerging on the injury front ahead of the break. Young Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni has been sidelined since tearing his ACL roughly 12 months ago, but he is now expected to return to first-team training by the time the international break concludes. While supporters should not expect to see him on the pitch immediately, the 19-year-old's imminent return to training is a significant boost for Iraola's defensive options. Fans will be hoping the break provides full recovery time for any other players carrying knocks.
Off the pitch: sporting director saga nears conclusion
The biggest behind-the-scenes story at Anfield right now is the hunt for a new sporting director. Richard Hughes left the club at the end of the summer transfer window to join Saudi side Al-Hilal, ending just over two years in the role β a spell during which he helped secure the Premier League title in 2025 and oversaw the arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Liverpool have now been assessing both internal and external candidates to replace him, with FSG president Mike Gordon leading the process. Reports from Liverpool.com indicate that former sporting director Julian Ward is closing in on a return to his old job at Anfield as the club's preferred choice. Brentford technical director Lee Dykes was also spoken to during the search process.
Transfer talk
(Rumour) ESPN's Transfer Talk reports that Liverpool remain keen on Internazionale midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, having first made contact with the Italian club during negotiations over Curtis Jones' move to San Siro earlier this summer. The window is closed until January, but the interest is said to be genuine heading into the new year. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that one Liverpool player is set to join Manchester United, though full details of that deal are yet to emerge publicly. On the incoming side, Liverpool scouted a Β£77m-rated midfielder β described as a natural fit for Iraola's system β who scored twice in a 3-0 win, according to Empire of the Kop, though no club has been officially linked. There are also reports that Anfield scouts have received glowing assessments of a South American defender playing in LaLiga who carries a Β£50m release clause in his contract.
Sources
- 2026β27 Liverpool F.C. season β Wikipedia
- When is Giovanni Leoni back? And 5 more LFC questions for international break β This Is Anfield
- Liverpool closing in on new sporting director as Richard Hughes successor chosen β Liverpool.com
- Liverpool eyeing Lee Dykes as Richard Hughes replacement β The Hard Tackle
- Liverpool interview Premier League technical director over replacing Richard Hughes β Rousing the Kop
- Liverpool transfer news β ESPN
