Julian Ward has no other choice, Everton star must join Liverpool

An Everton star simply has to join Liverpool. Julian Ward has no choice but to buy him.

It's going to be a challenging period for the club's new sporting director. Ward will have known that when he accepted the job.

Liverpool's squad is all over the place and lacks the necessary balance to make things work if the Reds want to be competing at the very highest level.

But this was always to be expected. Liverpool are going through changes. There's a new generation coming through and an older generation heading out through the gates of the AXA centre.

It takes time to go through that metamorphosis and grow together as a team. Especially, when there's a new manager in charge of the club as well.

The last time Liverpool bought a player from Everton

As the club begins to build anew, Liverpool's final part of the jigsaw should be an incredible Everton star.

By the time January rolls around it will have been 25 years since the two club's conducted business with each other in the transfer window at senior level.

Back then Abel Xavier caused a lot of controversy when he joined Liverpool from Everton. At the time though, this was quite common practise.

Two years prior, Nick Barmby also joined Liverpool for what was quite a price figure at £6m back in 2000. Although prior to these two deals, you'd have to go back to 1959 when Dave Hickson signed for Liverpool from Everton to find another move from the Blue part to the Red part of Merseyside.

Thierno Barry belongs at Liverpool, Ward has no choice

Now, the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle at Liverpool is Everton's current fans' favourite.

Thierno Barry has become a sensation for Everton this season. He has 13 goal contributions in 13 matches for the Blues so far. In total, the 24-year-old is averaging a goal or assist every 83.5 minutes on the pitch.

Barry is a breath of fresh air. He's not only a huge character on and off the pitch but he is also an incredible player. 6'5 in height, he's composed on the ball, quick to run in behind defences and he works his socks off for the team.

He's everything Iraola wants from his attacker. And that is why Ward has no choice, a player of Barry's quality and profile would complete the Reds' attack. So he simply has to bring him to Anfield.