According to Liverpool boss Billy Hogan, the team is going through a “post-Jurgen Klopp reset” with new head coach Arne Slot leading the Reds’ redesigned football system.
Since Klopp, who has won seven major awards in nine years, announced his resignation in January, the club has made a number of behind-the-scenes adjustments at Anfield.
The 45-year-old Slot has taken the place of the German, but the parent company of Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), has rehired former executives Michael Edwards and Julian Ward, who departed in 2022, to create a new organizational structure that will oversee strategy for the organization’s president, Mike Gordon, and principle owner John W. Henry.
Head of Merseyside business Hogan told BBC Sport that Klopp’s exit had “provided an opportunity for a reboot or reset and maybe to look at how things operate going forward.”
“Jurgen departing was a seismic decision, but clearly the right decision for him and his family, so by extension the right decision for the club,” said Hogan, who is known to have a tight personal relationship with Klopp.
“I believe he has accomplished his goal of leaving the club in a better state than when he arrived, since he made that very plain. His statement came at a time that allowed us to follow the correct procedures.”
Behind the scenes, Liverpool have appointed Richard Hughes from Bournemouth as the sporting director and Pedro Marques from Benfica as the technical director, which Hogan says will bring “new energy and vision.”
Hughes and Marques will focus solely on transfers and supporting Slot but FSG will continue to explore a multi-club structure after insurmountable issues caused talks with French club Bordeaux to collapse.
Hogan said it was “sad” Bordeaux have filed for bankruptcy as alternative options are “something being looked at by Michael Edwards”.
On financial controls within the Premier League, Hogan said Liverpool remain committed to strong rules.
“I think it is important that the rules have teeth and if clubs fall foul of that then the Premier League has a process to go through. We are supportive of those rules and being sustainable,” he said.
But he backed the different interests within the league to find an alternative solution to Premier League profit and sustainability regulations as rules closer to UEFA’s are being discussed.
“We are trying to find the best way to operate for all of us going forward,” he continued.
“We have the most competitive and global league, and it’s important we keep it that way.”
Liverpool are among 10 clubs on tour of the United States, with others travelling to Asia or around Europe, and he addressed the environmental impact of such tours, which were detailed in BBC Sport’s recent report.
“We have the foundation event here in Philadelphia with a group of people engaging with our supporters and bringing the club out to markets and supporters who may not get the opportunity to come to Anfield or Liverpool. In terms of the overall environmental impact, that’s something we take very seriously.”
Liverpool next face Arsenal in Philadelphia before taking on Manchester United in South Carolina to end their US tour.