LIVERPOOL APPOINT NEW NAME TO INFLUENTIAL ROLE BEHIND THE SCENES AS LEGEND EYES RETURN

Liverpool's pre-season preparations have taken a step up with a handful of Arne Slot's seniors set to report back over the weekend.

The Reds are yet to add to their ranks under the regime of new head coach Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes but are being linked to a number of players across the continent.

As ever, the ECHO brings you the latest off-diary tidbits in our Liverpool FC Notebook.

Endo and Bajcetic decisions explained

Despite being eager to take part, Wataru Endo won't be with Japan at this summer's Olympic Games in France.

Japan wanted the Liverpool star as one of their players aged over 23 for the Paris Games and speaking last week, Endo said: “Nothing has been decided yet. But my stance is that if I’m selected, I’d like to go.”

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The midfielder, though, will now be staying with the Reds for the pre-season schedule and will report for duty this weekend at the AXA Training Centre. It was viewed as a particularly important summer given the new-look regime is now at the club and Endo is determined to start on the right foot under Slot.

With Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister at the Copa America, Ryan Gravenberch with Holland at the Euros and Dominik Szoboszlai enjoying some time off after a group-stage exit with Hungary, Endo will be the only 2023 summer signing reporting for action this weekend and all focus is on catching the eye of the new head coach.

The same applies for Stefan Bajcetic, who is not part of the Spain squad. The former Celta Vigo youngster has endured a torrid time with injuries over the last 12 months or so and played just three games last term.

The teenager has amassed just 97 minutes since March 2023 and Liverpool are taking a cautious approach given the injury problems in recent times. As a result it was viewed as more beneficial for the long term for Bajcetic to remain under the watch of Liverpool staff rather than dispatch him to a tournament they are not obligated to release their players for.

Bajcetic has been working to his own individually-tailored training regime in recent weeks in an effort to return to pre-season training in peak condition ahead of what is hoped to be a much brighter campaign for the youngster.

New appointment made

Liverpool have appointed a new director of first-team operations behind the scenes with Phil Holliday stepping into the position.

It was confirmed earlier this year that Ray Haughan would be stepping down from the position after 16 years in charge and the long-serving employee was given a personal send-off on the Anfield pitch at the request of Jurgen Klopp after the final match of the Premier League season against Wolves on May 19.

It was Mr Haughan's job to ensure the smooth running of the logistics side of the operation at Liverpool, which included organising travel both home and away and the outgoing director was a visible figure behind the scenes on match-days for the Reds.

Mr Haughan was credited with helping the club organise an 11th-hour change of pre-season venue back in 2020 amid COVID-19 concerns as Liverpool were forced to find a new base for their summer work

The Reds flew out to Austria via private jet in August 2020 after a last-minute change of plan was enforced by the government's decision to add France to the quarantine list at the time and Mr Haughan was praised for how the switch was executed.

His role will now be taken by Holliday, whose official job title is 'director of first-team operations and travel'. It remains unlikely, however, that a summer training camp will be organised before the tour of the United States later this month.

Fowler eyes return

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has told the ECHO how keen he is to return to management.

The former Reds striker has been out of work since a surprise sacking at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Qadsiah in October last year, despite an unbeaten start to the campaign.

Fowler has now revealed that he is looking to get back into the game as a manager and has been dispatching his CV far and wide in an effort to return to the game.

He told the ECHO: "I am genuinely trying to get back in and I am just waiting on the right opportunity.

"I have thrown my CV in a couple of times for clubs over here (in England) and I can't get a look-in. For whatever reasons they are, I don't know and it's not really for me to say the reasons why or give ideas as to the reason why, I don't know.

"But I am genuinely, genuinely confident that when I get a chance I will do well because I have done well at every club I have been at. Different levels of success with the college but I was over in Saudi Arabia and I never lost a game.

"I am all for creating an environment where players can thrive and flourish and prosper and I know the next club that gets me is in good hands because I am confident I can do a good job. Where that will be, I don't know but it might be overseas again because I don't think anyone gives me the time of day here."

2024-07-04T11:01:39Z dg43tfdfdgfd