SCHMAD FOR IT! JORG TO TAKE CHARGE AT ANFIELD

LIVERPOOL confirmed

Jorg Schmadtke will become their new sporting director – until the end of the summer at least.

The German has agreed a short-term contract to help the Reds navigate the busy transfer window – with a view to extending the deal if the two parties hit it off.

Schmadtke was at pains yesterday, when discussing the arrangement with Liverpool, to point out he “is not a Jurgen Klopp appointment”.

He did though reveal Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke played a key role in him landing the Anfield job.

The 59-year-old has enjoyed a successful career in Germany as a director of football, most notably with Hannover, Cologne and Wolfsburg.

He has vast experience of the German transfer market – among others – and will finalise deals likely to include the £60million signing of Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister.

Schmadtke (top) said: “I was there last week and talked to everyone at Liverpool. The agreement is initially planned for three months – I start on June 1st.

“After three months we will review the relationship, then we continue or not. If we work well together, then we can extend beyond the transfer window. Let’s see.”

Klopp has described the wily operator as “a good guy, a smart guy, very good in what he did in Germany, a very successful character”, but has explained he did not ask for the appointment.

However, he will work closely with Schmadtke as the Reds look to sign two or even three midfielders, and a defender, while several players will be offloaded.

Schmadtke said: “I know Jurgen’s advisor Marc and he suggested me to the club’s owners.

“The influence of the coach on transfers is greater in England than in Germany, so Jurgen sets the priorities.

“We set him up with a team of data analysts, scouts and so on, so he can choose from a list of players who he wants to work with.”