Luis Diaz's Liverpool transfer serves as promising sign for the post-Michael Edwards era

While Liverpool fans may be excited by the signing of Luis Diaz from a purely footballing perspective, the £50million transfer is one that offers a major positive behind the scenes.

The 25-year-old will soon be at Jurgen Klopp's disposal thanks to the work of the Reds' chief negotiator - but that man was not Michael Edwards.

Assistant sporting director Julian Ward took the reins for the nitty-gritty of the Diaz deal, as Edwards handed over the baton ahead of his summer departure.

Ward was primarily in charge of transfer talks with Porto and the Liverpool Echo outline that Edwards only took an advisory role.

So, with a medical ongoing and Diaz poised to pull on a red shirt soon enough, the Anfield faithful can be confident that Ward is a worthy heir.

Edwards' successor has a lot to live up to, but he knows the club inside out.

Ward joined Liverpool from Manchester City back 10 years ago to become part of the club's recruitment and scouting team.

Swiftly rising through the ranks, 2015 saw him handed a newly-created role: loan pathways and football partnerships manager.

In that position, Ward was able to lay the Reds' foundations by forging partnerships and networks with others clubs across England and Europe.

Klopp is a big fan of his work and personality, even though the German joked by asking "who is Julian Ward?" when quizzed about his role in 2020.

"Now it’s obviously very, very important, a really, very important role. We work really closely together," Klopp explained.

"So if you have to go on loan, the best thing that can happen is that you have a contract with Liverpool, because then Jules is looking after you, let me say it like this.

"He travels a lot – or he used to travel a lot, when travelling was allowed –