Julian Ward facing Liverpool 'crossroads' as Reds set for transfer conundrum

With the dust settling on an incredible campaign for Liverpool, preparations for the upcoming season are already well underway. But for the Reds, they are bracing themselves for the impending departure of Sadio Mane.

Mane was the hero in Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations triumph and hit a purple patch for Jurgen Klopp's side in the business end of the season. The 30-year-old's exit is looming and whilst a change seems to be afoot in the attacking department at Anfield, there is movement as Julian Ward takes up the position of the departing Michael Edwards.

While the infamous front three looks to be on the verge of breaking up, uncertainty still surrounds the futures of Mohamed Salah and Robert Firmino with their contracts ticking down. Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz have been breaths of fresh air and a spark in competition - but Mane's departure leaves a burning question ahead of Ward's first summer transfer window.

"This feels like a really difficult summer for Ward considering it's his first on his own, at least, it's a difficult one because it's a crossroads summer," Football Scouting writer Josh Williams said on the Analysing Anfield podcast. "Previous season's there has been talks of 'are Liverpool finally going to sign a proper striker? Are Liverpool going to change the formation to 4-3-2-1?' that's been a running narrative but neither of them have ever happened.

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