The Liverpool players Michael Edwards could poach if he ever did join Newcastle after Anfield exit confirmed

It’s a departure that had began to look more inevitable as each day passed.

And now it is confirmed Michael Edwards will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

The Athletic reported in August that the Reds’ sporting director is ready for a new challenge after 10 years at Anfield.

Edwards has now issued a statement clarifying that is the case.

In an open letter on Liverpool’s website, he said: “I had always planned to cap my time at the club to a maximum of 10 years. I’ve loved working here, but I am a big believer in change. I think it’s good for the individual and, in a work setting, good for the employer too.

“Over my time here we have changed so many things (hopefully for the better) but someone new brings a different perspective, new ideas and can hopefully build on (or change) the things that have been put in place beforehand.

“That’s how I believe businesses/football clubs stay ahead; you need to evolve and at the heart of this kind of process is always people. That evolution has always been central to Liverpool’s history and I hope that this is one thing that doesn’t change.”

Recently, Edwards was linked with a move to RB Leipzig in January.

Now, according to The Northern Echo, Eddie Howe is hoping to take Edwards to Newcastle after his appointment as St James’ Park manager earlier this week.

With the Magpies’ now backed by the multi-billion pound wealth of their Saudi Arabian owners, adding Edwards to their hierarchy would be a big statement of intent.

He’s forged a reputation as one of the shrewdest transfer gurus in football. Having oversaw deals for the likes of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Alisson, Edwards’ work has ensured Jurgen Klopp with a squad to re-establish Liverpool among the European elite.

Recently-appointed Newcastle head coach Howe scotched rumours he will reunite with Edwards, having worked together at Portsmouth in the early 2000s.

Yet there’s still a long time until the summer - and that situation could well change.

So should Edwards move to the north east, he could well look to raid the Reds in a bid to deliver succees at his potential new employers.

There are several players that he might look to poach.

Roberto Firmino

There was supposed tension between Edwards and Brendan Rodgers over the £29 million of the Brazilian in the summer of 2015. It was very much the former who pushed for the deal and got his way.

In the build-up to Rodgers' sacking, he struggled to find a suitable, permanent role for Firmino in the Liverpool team. In a 3-1 loss at Manchester United, he was strangely played at left wing-back.

However, since Klopp's arrival, the ex-Hoffenheim forward has thrived and been an essential kog.

When the Reds claimed the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons, Firmino formed a potent partnership with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

There has been some uncertainty around the Brazil international's future, though. He's out of contract in 2023 and an Anfield extension has scarcely been mentioned.

Edwards is clearly a huge admirer of Firmino and he'd add quality to a Newcastle front line that's well short of firepower.

With a year left on his deal next summer, the Magpies could get Firmino for a cut-price fee.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The midfielder's Liverpool career has stalled in recent seasons.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's failed to hit the heights he displayed during the 2017-18 season and the 2019-20 campaign because of two serious knee injuries.

While on the sidelines, the 32-cap England international has been able to do nothing as Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott have overtaken him in the pecking order.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's performances this season have been a mixed bag. He was superb in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid last week but was unable to back that encouraging display up in Sunday's 3-2 loss at West Ham.

In truth, Oxlade-Chamberlain appears that he needs a fresh start somewhere.

It was Edwards who helped engineer his £35 million move to Merseyside in 2017.

Out of contract in 2023, Oxlade-Chamberlain would cost a lot less next summer and Edwards could be willing to take another chance.

Central midfield is an area that Newcastle may well look to strengthen.

Joe Gomez

Newcastle certainly requires bolstering their backline - both in January and next summer.

As reported by our sister title NewcastleWorld, the Magpies have already made contact with Bayern Munich about the availability of Niklas Sule.

And if the Magpies want to catapult themselves into top-four challengers, they'll need more than just Sule to make them more robust.

Gomez finds himself in a difficult situation at Liverpool.

This season, he's been fourth-choice centre-back behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and £36 million summer signing Ibrahima Konate.

As a consequence, Gomez has made just seven appearances all term, failed to make a start in the Premier League and dropped out of the England squad.

Should he miss out on a place in Gareth Southgate's World Cup set-up then Gomez could well question his long-term future.

Edwards could also look to question Liverpool's resolve, although they hold most of the bargaining chips as the centre-back is contracted until 2024.

Neco Williams

The Wales international is desperately unlucky to be behind arguably the world's best right-back at Anfield.

In truth, there's no chance Williams is dislodging Trent Alexander-Arnold. The best he can hope for is remaining as deputy.

Regular football is what Williams will covet. Last summer, Southampton, Leeds and Wolves were all linked, which underlines the 20-year-old has the ability to play regularly in the Premier League.

Now, Williams might not be the sort of name that would get members of the Toon Army off their feet. He's hardly a household name and ambitions of the new regime might be scrutinised.

But Edwards's acumen to spot a player is among the elite.

At Liverpool, Joel Matip and Andy Robertson weren't exactly superstarswhen they arrived - but have developed into indispensable players.

Williams could fit that bill if the Reds wanted to raise funds and sell.