JURGEN KLOPP is Liverpool’s hero who delivered the title after 30 years of pain — but he could not have done it without the help of his anonymous wingman Michael Edwards.
Without the amazing work of the failed footballer who loves nothing more than living in the shadows, there might not have been a Premier League title, Champions League glory and the mantle of world club champions.
Michael Edwards is just one of the unsung heroes behind Liverpool’s Premier League triumph
Edwards is the man who told an unsure Klopp he had to sign Mo Salah, insisted the Reds buy Sadio Mane and also take the plunge for Hull’s left-back Andrew Robertson.
Poached from Tottenham after starting to make his mark during Portsmouth’s spell in the top flight, the Southampton-born 41-year-old is now the main man in his role as sporting director.
His close working relationship with the Liverpool boss has helped the Anfield club to assemble a group of players who have destroyed everything in front of them on their climb to the top.
An unknown face behind the scenes who shuns the spotlight, who turned to numbers and stats after failing to cut it as a player at Peterborough.
Michael Edwards helped push Jurgen Klopp to sign the likes of Mo Salah and Andy Robertson – and they haven’t worked out too badCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And according to Joe Jordan, who worked closely with Edwards at both Pompey and Spurs, someone who works tirelessly at his craft, giving his boss the best possible chance of winning games.
At Fratton Park, his initial role was scouting opponents, before he earned the trust to help dig up gems like Sulley Muntari and Lassana Diarra when other clubs were unsure.
So vital did he become that when boss Harry Redknapp quit the south-coast club for Spurs, Edwards was one of the few backroom staff he insisted on bringing with him.
Liverpool stars celebrated their triumph long into the nightCredit: Instagram @joegomez5
Jordan, first-team coach at both clubs, said: “At Portsmouth he was in control of the area regarding opposition, the way they played, strengths and weaknesses and passing it on to the players and the coaches.
“He also had a role helping with players on the club’s horizon who they wanted to bring in.
“You would have clips of the players or a name and ‘Eddie’ had the wherewithal to get the information, narrow it down and then we would go from there and have a look at the player himself.
“That was the beginning of what goes on now. It’s changed dramatically but in those days he helped Harry out in that way.”
Part of Liverpool’s success has been to highlight weaknesses in opponents, pressing higher and quicker on individuals who the analysis has shown are more vulnerable to being closed down quickly.
WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE
Such detailed tactics come from techniques honed by Edwards when he was working in North London.
Jordan added: “If you played on a Saturday, on the Monday before Eddie would be ready to feed the players with information on the opposition.
“I’d sit with him and watch matches, looking at the strengths, weaknesses, looking at the set-plays, looking for something that maybe doesn’t hit you smack on in the face.
“There’s a million things and Eddie would bring the best clips so in the team meeting, that only lasts 20 minutes, the players were left convinced and could see what we were talking about.
“He’s been a player and he’s a good judge of a player. He’s not a numbers guy, although the stats and analysis is there.
“If he was talking to a player regarding the clips, or talking generally about football, they were in no doubt that he knew the game.
“He’s a good guy and he deserves it because he’s good at his job.”
Klopp was in fine mood after celebrating Liverpool’s title win on Thursday
Jurgen Klopp says he is overwhelmed with Liverpool winning the Premier League and pays tribute to staff and players
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
