Date for Liverpool sporting director appointment revealed

Liverpool are planning to appoint the club's new sporting director by the end of March, according to one report. 

The Reds' most recent occupant of the position was Jorg Schmadtke, who joined the Anfield setup last summer. The German helped oversee a successful transfer window in which four midfielders were signed - three of which came from the Bundesliga - before departing his role at the beginning of February.

Liverpool are still searching for Schmadtke's successor, however, and the need for a new sporting director has taken on even greater significance following Jurgen Klopp's announcement that he will step down as manager at the end of the season.

The club are eager to appoint a new sporting director before they commit to bringing in a new head coach, although the likes of Xabi Alonso, Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi are likely to remain managerial targets regardless.

According to an exclusive report from Football Insider, Liverpool are planning to sign up a new sporting director by the end of March at the very latest, and they want an 'experienced recruit' to oversee the transition to the post-Klopp era.

The Reds have been linked with a whole host of names, including Newcastle United chief Dan Ashworth. However, the 52-year-old seems set to join rivals Manchester United.

With Liverpool desperate to appoint Bayer Leverkusen boss and former midfielder Xabi Alonso, the Reds are also reportedly keen to bring the German side's sporting director Simon Rolfes to the club.

However, a double swoop for the Leverkusen duo would be complicated, perhaps forcing the club to look elsewhere.

Tim Steidten of West Ham has been touted with a potential Anfield switch, as has former Milan sporting director Frederic Massara.

The appointment of the next sporting director is a crucial piece of business for the Reds as they aim to hire someone who can be on Merseyside long-term.