Liverpool closing in on key appointment with 'leading operator' set to boost Anfield club

Liverpool are closing in on a key appointment to replace outgoing director of research Ian Graham in a move that is set to boost the Anfield club.

Earlier this season Graham announced his intention to step down after over a decade at the Reds and provided yet another setback following the notice given by sporting director Julian Ward.

Both have been key to Liverpool's shrewd recruitment over the years with Graham leading a research team whose aim is to help target players the scouting department may miss out.

Under Graham's leadership, data has helped the Reds capture several players such as Mohamad Salah, Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson.

It has led to concerns that the clubs' recruitment may not be as good once the pair have departed the Merseyside giants.

However, according to The Times, Liverpool are close to appointing Graham's successor who is regarded as a "leading operator" in the football data field.

As they have done in the past, the club have opted to promote from within their own ranks with journalist Ben Jacobs confirming on social media that Will Spearman is the man they have chosen to take up the role.

Jacobs said: "Will Spearman will replace Ian Graham as Liverpool's new director of research, as per Paul Joyce. As reported, internal promotion was always the plan rather than making an external hire. That's just LFC's model."

A safe bet for a struggling Liverpool

The advantage of promoting a data scientist within the club is that they already have good relationships with current staff.

Spearman will know the type of players that Jurgen Klopp wants to sign as he tries to rebuild the Liverpool squad because he's helped recruit similar ones before.

It's a safe bet given the clubs' track record when it comes to recruitment and they can't afford to take too many risks at the moment.

The Reds currently sit in 10th place in the league and have a slim chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

If they find themselves outside of Europe's premier competition then it will make life a lot more difficult for the team responsible for recruiting new signings.