Liverpool have spent heavily and recruited impressively this summer, but the picture at Anfield is far more complicated than the transfer ledger suggests. In his latest Q&A for The Athletic FC, David Ornstein addressed the club’s interest in Lamine Camara, the looming departure of Alexis Mac Allister, and the vacant sporting director role — a vacancy that takes on fresh significance with new ownership possibly on the horizon.

Liverpool's interest in Camara is credible

Rumours swirled that Liverpool had played a part in derailing Chelsea’s move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. Ornstein was scathing about that theory — but confirmed that Liverpool’s interest in the player is real.

“I’ll reverse that one and say, yes, Liverpool have some interest in Lamine Camara, which would be related to (fellow midfielder) Alexis Mac Allister departing.”

He noted reports that Manchester City had considered Camara had “some credibility to it”, even if no formal conversations were known to have taken place. Liverpool, he said, “would have had to look at options” given the possibility of a further departure in midfield, with Roma’s Manu Kone also on their radar and Trey Nyoni impressing in pre-season with “high hopes” for a potential new contract.

On the suggestion Liverpool disrupted Chelsea’s Camara move, Ornstein was dismissive:

“I have no knowledge of that at all. I presume it’s speculation and, to my knowledge, not the case… Chelsea’s deal got so close and was only pulled because of the Folarin Balogun situation. I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say Liverpool just rang up Monaco or Camara and said, don’t do it, we’re coming for you.”

The sporting director vacancy

The search to replace Richard Hughes — who departed after the window and has joined Al Hilal — is being led by Mike Gordon on behalf of FSG (Fenway Sports Group) following Michael Edwards’ exit over the summer, with Billy Hogan acting as conduit between FSG and the new investment vehicle led by Amit Bhatia, which includes investment from Jeff Bezos.

Ornstein outlined the internal candidates: David Woodfine, seen as excellent operationally but “maybe not the sporting director”, and Pedro Marques, more focused on the development side. But the standout continuity option is Julian Ward, now FSG’s technical director and a man “highly rated” and “coveted elsewhere”.

“You could see Ward being not only a very good option, but a continuity option if this new ownership stake is going to be increased. And obviously the new investors have an option to do so, I think within the next 12 months.”

Ornstein did name-check external heavyweights — Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Campos, Edu (recently departed Nottingham Forest), Dougie Freedman, now in Saudi Arabia, and Paul Mitchell — but stressed he was not linking them to Liverpool. Recruitment specialists such as Brentford’s Lee Dykes, Newcastle’s Ross Wilson and Aston Villa’s Roberto Olabe also drew his praise. Still, he concluded:

“I think Ward stands a really good chance, from the conversations I’m having, but it’s important for us not to discount external possibilities.”

An attack to rival anyone in world football

On the pitch, Ornstein argued Liverpool’s attacking department is now among the most feared in the world — if Alexander Isak plays like he did at Ipswich, Hugo Ekitike returns from injury, and with Bradley Barcola, retained Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha, plus Florian Wirtz possibly “coming to the fore”. Jeremy Jacquet looks a fine signing in defence, while young recruit Lucca Brughmans has returned to Belgium on loan.

With the new Turkish Airlines sponsorship deal adding to the club’s financial firepower, Ornstein does not see Liverpool padding the squad with cheap signings — just adding quality “where they see fit” for Andoni Iraola’s system and Liverpool’s identity. Given the sporting director search, potential ownership change and the January window ahead, his final word was a warning:

“So on and off the pitch, my goodness, keep your eyes peeled.”