LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 24, 2016: Liverpool's manager J¸rgen Klopp before the FA Premier League match against Hull City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Video: Jurgen Klopp insists he still has “final say” on transfers after Michael Edwards promotion

Jurgen Klopp has detailed the changes made to Liverpool’s transfer structure following the promotion of Michael Edwards to sporting director.

Edwards has assumed a new role in the Reds’ transfer operations, overseeing all incomings and outgoings, as well as player identification and liaising with targets and their agents.

This has caused much discussion as to the differences between Liverpool’s previous collegiate setup and the new system.

But hailing Edwards’ appointment on Friday, Klopp insisted he still had “final say” on all transfers, with the 37-year-old focussing on work “behind the scenes.”

“Since I’ve been at the club my work with Michael has been brilliant,” he told reporters.

“Transfers will go the same way, the start may different [each time] because whoever brings the players up—if it’s me, my assistant, the scouting department, Michael or whoever.

“Then we have a lot of things to watch, talk about, [but] in the end I will always have the final say.

“If something is wrong since I’ve been here, or will be wrong in the future, that’s my responsibility.

“But all the work we have to do until the player is here, you need a lot of good people around, and he’s a really good person.

“It was absolutely natural, easy, to make this decision and, how I understand it, only because it’s in England it’s bigger. All around the world football clubs work like this.

“Short ways, quick decisions, knowledge – everything you need to make the right decision in the right moment. Right now that’s sporting director, Michael Edwards.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 1, 2016: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp before the FA Premier League match against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

In the past, discrepancy between those involved in Liverpool’s transfer activity, namely Edwards and former manager Brendan Rodgers, has caused friction that has spilled over onto the pitch.

But Klopp insisted it should not be a “one-man show,” and while he is willing to take the responsibility, he required help from those around him.

“I can take the pressure easily,” he continued.

“It’s about the work, if you want, a lot of work behind the scenes

“You need the best people you can get for this work. It’s not allowed to be a one-man show.

“I’m a specialist in football things. How can people say I’m the best in financial things? Sorry, I’m not.

“I like to have the best people around me and Michael is, for sure, one of the best I can imagine.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 22, 2016: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp applauds the supporters after the 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Furthermore, Klopp believes this change in setup is poised to aid the club in the long term—even if Fenway Sports Group decide to part ways with him in the future, if results go awry.

“If the manager changes in the future, this club will have a good base,” he explained.

Michael Edwards has been at this club for the past five years, involved in big decisions, but the one thing the manager has is the final say.

“Working on a structure for the future is the now. Having a sporting director is only one step.

“Between the two games there are a lot of things to do.

“The decisions are quicker for us, because our owners give us the faith and trust us to do the right things in the right moment. Everything is good.”

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