Liverpool eyeing former RB Leipzig chief as next sporting director

Liverpool are looking at Max Eberl as an option for their next permanent sporting director.

Eberl was dismissed from his role as director at the RB Leipzig just last month, amid rumours of interest from Bayern Munich.

Leipzig cited a 'lack of commitment to the club' as their reasons for parting ways, with the 50-year-old reportedly toying with a move to the German champions.

While it would appear there are no longer any obstacles to Eberl joining Bayern, where the former right back spent time as a youth player, BILD report that Liverpool could also compete for his signature.

The report claims that tentative conversations between Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan and Eberl took place when they met during a Champions League match last year, while adding that the former Germany youth international shares an agent with Jurgen Klopp.

BILD also say that Eberl – who was previously the academy director at Borussia Monchengladbach – is currently in Boston with the German national team, who are due to take on the USA on Saturday – noting that the city is also the HQ of Liverpool's owners FSG.

Jorg Schmadtke is the Reds' current sporting director, having arrived on a short-term contract at the start of the summer to fill the void left by the departure of Julian Ward.

The 59-year-old former goalkeeper has helped facilitate the arrivals of Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, all from Bundesliga clubs, but was something of a surprise appointment for Liverpool.

During the summer transfer window, Schmadtke revealed that while he has a one-year deal at Anfield, both parties have the option to end the relationship early if they see fit.

He said: "We agreed on a year of co-operation and agreed to see what would happen after three months. We sit down together, look each other in the eye and decide how to proceed.

“Both sides are so sovereign and serious that the question is then answered – does it still make sense or not? It could be that we shake hands and part."