Jurgen Klopp holds talks with Michael Edwards over Liverpool future as 'dumb' question avoided

Michael Edwards will take charge of the daily running of Liverpool in the summer and has already held discussions with Jurgen Klopp over the future direction of club

Jurgen Klopp has already held talks with Michael Edwards over the future direction of Liverpool - but reiterated nothing can change his mind over leaving at the end of the season.

Edwards will return to Anfield in the summer as Fenway Sports Group's chief executive of football; a role that will see him take over the day-to-day running of Liverpool from FSG president Mike Gordon.

One of his first tasks will be to help appoint a successor for Klopp, who is departing in the summer after almost nine years in charge at Anfield.

Edwards, who left the Reds in 2022 after more than a decade at the club, was integral as sporting director in helping construct the squad that, under Klopp, claimed a clean sweep of major honours.

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And the departing Liverpool boss has given the incoming Edwards his feedback over the current Anfield landscape and is confident he will bid farewell to a club in rude health.

"We had a conversation," said Klopp. "Michael and I had a really good relationship. It was always very good on a professional basis, a lot of good things happened in the time obviously we were here together. Michael decided to do something else and now he is back, I am really happy.

"I've said a few times that I want it to see the club in the best possible place after I left, so everything we can do as long as I am here I will do. After that, other people have to do it.

"I think it is a top solution, honestly, and our conversation was obviously great. We spoke about a lot of things, about what I think about different things, players, stuff like this, situations in the club because I was here all the time when he was not, what did change, what might have to change. It was a really good talk, and it's top news for the club (that Edwards is back)."

Klopp added: "The club is in a really good place. Of course, people will only measure that at the end of the season when they have a look at what we really achieved, but that's not that important for the future - what we achieved this season is for now.

"What's important for the future is how good is the team, how good are the players, how good is the structure, how good is the organisation. That's where my optimism comes from. That's why I think it's a rather good moment to be with LFC. That's how it is and I'm really happy about that."

Klopp is insistent he will honour his decision to step down as Reds manager in the summer, despite his team still in the hunt for an unprecedented trophy quadruple, which continues on Thursday when they entertain Sparta Prague in their Europa League round of 16 second leg having won 5-1 in Czechia last week.

And asked if Edwards attempted to persuade him to stay, Klopp said: "No, because, and it's very important in his job, he's not dumb. That was not a subject to talk about. Can you imagine if I changed my mind now? Can you? Of course not. It would be like when I said I'd never ever (move to) another club in England and next year I signed for our neighbours or a club who needs a coach.

"I don't say these things without thinking about them before. It would mean I realise only now how great this club is - I have known about it all the time. For me it is the best club in the world and I am still leaving anyway. That's what I've been trying to explain. I just want this club to do as well as somehow possible, and I'm really sure (that can happen) if we create a good basis with the right people in charge and Michael is a top choice."