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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Mark Wakefield

Julian Ward's masterplan for Liverpool as Champions League changes confirmed

Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Saturday, July 2.

What's next in Julian Ward's Liverpool masterplan

For a club who often stand accused of inactivity during the transfer window, Liverpool have changed the makeup of their squad considerably in recent years, writes Paul Gorst.

Of course, given the steady flow of silverware since 2019, Jurgen Klopp has never felt the need to rip up the blueprints that have guided him throughout his near seven years on Merseyside and given the alterations the champions' wall and the honours' list in that time, those results cannot be argued with.

And while some supporters are continually dismayed by the shallow volume of incomings each summer, that the Reds don't have to bring in a raft of new players year upon year is indicative of a job well done on the pitch.

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah contract: how Julian Ward secured new Liverpool deal as wages and structure explained

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah sends Liverpool message after signing new deal

All too often the term 'strengthening' is assumed to be done simply by new signings. Clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United have shown that not to always be the case in recent years.

For example, since 2020, Chelsea have spent around £220m on Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Romelu Lukaku but have found themselves in the transfer hunt for Raphinha, Raheem Sterling and Richarlison this summer as they look to close the considerable Premier League gap on Liverpool and Manchester City by reconfiguring their attack once more.

United, meanwhile, have been forced to hit the reset button once more as Erik ten Hag attempts to pull them out of their worst period in decades this coming campaign.

But while the general perception of Liverpool, to some, is of a club who are reluctant to make a splash during the months of player trading , a closer inspection shows the reality to be much different.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE .

BBC and Amazon set to show Champions League football in sweeping TV changes

The BBC will show Champions League football for the first time in 2024 after a successful bid in UEFA's TV auction rights. Amazon were also winners in the bid as they will show live matches for the first time also.

BT Sport retained the bulk of the TV rights and will continue to show Europe's elite competition in its new format from 2024. BT Sport is set to form a new joint venture with Warner Bros Discovery, and retaining the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League rights was one of the top priorities.

The package the BBC have secured means they will be able to show highlights from the matches on a Wednesday night in what will be a midweek Match of the Day show.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE .

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