Eight targets named as Liverpool plan to bolster Andoni Iraola's squad

Andoni Iraola's squad are still unbeaten across all competitions.

No matter who the Reds have faced, none of them have managed to out-do Liverpool with the club always finding a way to claw something out of each game.

Indeed, some of the Anfield outfit's performances haven't been all that great and, seeing as though they're eighth in the Premier League, there's obviously still a lot of room for improvement.

However, with the sheer number of players that have been welcomed through the Anfield doors this summer, it's clear that it's going to take time for everyone to get up to speed and on the same wavelength.

The fact that many players and key figures also left over the summer means that there has been plenty of change afoot.

And, even though the transfer window has now slammed shut, Fenway Sports Group are still trying to figure out how to get things a bit more normal, and, this latest report certainly confirms that.

FSG now have eight targets on their shortlist to replace Richard Hughes

For one reason or another, after Jurgen Klopp exited Liverpool, the Reds moved away from having a manager and, instead, appointed Arne Slot and Iraola as the clubs head coach.

This meant that, while they were in charge of the team, how they lined up and how they performed, they had less of a say on their transfer business.

Obviously, they still have some sort of influence as, one of the main reasons Victor Munoz was brought in was because Iraola wanted him.

But, now that Richard Hughes has exited L4 and has chosen to join Al-Hilal instead, there's a major hole in their recruitment department that needs to be filled before January.

Because, without a new sporting director leading their recruitment, no new players are likely to be brought in.

So, with this in mind, the latest update from TEAMtalk will certainly be music to Liverpool's ears.

"Liverpool began drawing up plans to replace Richard Hughes before the sporting director had even left the club, with Fenway Sports Group already assessing the merits of several potential candidates, TEAMtalk can reveal," they wrote.

"TEAMtalk understands there has been no panic within FSG over Hughes’ departure, with the ownership group having anticipated the possibility of him leaving and ensuring there was enough strength within the existing football operation to avoid the need for a rushed appointment.

"FSG president Mike Gordon is overseeing the process and has been considering both candidates already within the Liverpool structure and a number of external options.

"The current thinking is that an internal appointment is the most likely outcome, although we understand FSG have looked closely at several sporting directors and senior football executives from across Europe and the Premier League.

"Liverpool have a number of established figures within their own structure who could step into the role."

After this, the report goes on to share that; Julian Ward, David Woodfine, Pedro Marques and Matt Newberry are the four internal candidates while Christopher Freund, Carlalberto Ludi, Lee Dykes, Tiago Pinto are the external ones.

FSG should try and give an external candidate the Liverpool job

Obviously, appointing an internal candidate would make the transitional phase for Liverpool much easier.

The incoming sporting directors would know exactly what needs to be done and which players the club have already looked at.

However, if Liverpool are wanting to get ahead of their rivals, they may have to start thinking outside of the box.

So, clearly the best way for them to do that would be by hiring an external candidate.

This way, they can have a fresh look at the squad and potentially a new relationship with Iraola to see what he actually needs.

Obviously, plenty of changes are expected to come Liverpool's way over the next year, so, the sooner that they can bring someone in, the better.