FSG plan 'imminent' as four appointments point to Liverpool future after Jürgen Klopp

We knew already that Liverpool's owner, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), was looking to take the next step having been in charge at Anfield for almost 14 years, but the appointments that were confirmed on Friday only further underlined that.

Michael Edwards had already been enticed back in a deal that was announced in March before Richard Hughes was confirmed as the sporting director who would come in when his commitments this season with Bournemouth are concluded. Now, Pedro Marques has arrived as director of football development after leaving Benfica, where he was technical director, and Julian Ward has returned too.

Marques will oversee 'youth player development and their transition to first-team football', according to The Athletic. Ward, who was sporting director for a year before leaving last summer, will work alongside Edwards again for FSG.

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With Jürgen Klopp going, it certainly looks like the US group has attempted to get the old band back together at Liverpool as a means of replacing him. Arne Slot will come in as head coach, rather than manager, with a team of experts around him in other roles. And having another club in the FSG roster will mean sharing ideas and potentially players too.

There is a chance to work more with the South American market, potentially, with that being an area that Marques has expertise in. Portuguese clubs including Benfica, his former employer, have often made the most of that ahead of the rest of Europe, attracting players like Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez and Enzo Fernández for much smaller fees.

The Telegraph has reported that a move into the multi-club model is 'imminent' and all of these appointments suggest that is what is being geared up for. Edwards is FSG's CEO of football and has been tasked with finding and ultimately running a second soccer team alongside Liverpool. Clearly, he has more than enough expertise around him to make that happen.

Liverpool.com says: While some people might not like the idea of multi-club ownership, it is the latest trend in soccer and Liverpool and FSG will not want to be left behind. If clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea are doing it, there is an argument that Liverpool can't afford not to. That is one that Edwards seems to subscribe to.

GO DEEPER: Why FSG is moving toward the multi-club model and what it means for Liverpool.