How David Moyes could play role in Liverpool's sporting director hunt

West Ham's technical director Tim Steidten is 'unhappy' at the club, while there are concerns the German could leave his role this summer, amid interest from Liverpool.

The 44-year-old former midfielder only joined West Ham last summer from Bayer Leverkusen and has helped oversee transfers for the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, following Declan Rice's big money exit to Arsenal.

Steidten, who helped bring the likes of Florian Wirtz and Edmond Tapsoba to Leverkusen, arrived in England with a reputation for finding gems in the transfer market, even earning the nickname the 'Pearl Diver'.

He has also been linked as a possible candidate to take over the now vacant position at Liverpool of sporting director, following Jorg Schmadtke's exit.

Reports have suggested Liverpool investigated the possibility of recruiting Steidten prior to Schmadtke's interim appointment last year, while the man himself even commented on the new links to Anfield, which he described as an 'honour'.

He told Sky Sports Germany earlier this month: "I've heard that I am supposed to be on the list at Liverpool. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it's an honour. But so far nobody from LFC has contacted me yet.

"I generally feel very comfortable at West Ham. I quickly realised how intense this league is. Accordingly, we signed the right players in the last transfer windows. The squad is strong, so we can achieve our goals.

"I am looking forward facing the next weeks and months until the end of the season. Of course we are already planing the next window. What happens to the future, we will see."

Steidten topped an Anfield Watch poll of preferred sporting director candidates, while the German has worked with the Reds' leading managerial candidate Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen.

Now, according to the Guardian, there is 'growing concern' that Steidten is 'not happy' at West Ham and could leave in the summer.

The report claims that he has been left 'frustrated' at a lack of power in his role, while there has been some conflict with manager David Moyes over transfer targets.

It is noted that Steidten would be put in charge of finding a head coach, if or when Moyes is removed, while the Hammers have attempted to make their recruitment chief more comfortable by allowing him to make key backroom appointments, including bringing in his brother, Moritz Steidten, as head of international scouting.

West Ham have been in poor form of late and have not won any of their last eight games in all competitions, with Moyes under increasing pressure.

Moyes' future may then be tied to Liverpool's, with the chance to secure a replacement potentially key in keeping Steidten happy at the London Stadium.

The 60-year-old former Everton and Manchester United manager's contract expires in the summer, while the likes of Graham Potter, Julen Lopetegui and Paulo Fonseca are all said to be under consideration to replace him. However, an upturn in form and another European run — with West Ham still in the Europa League — could yet save his Moyes' job.

Meanwhile, Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and Frederic Massara have all been mentioned as other possible contenders to become Liverpool's next sporting director.