Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has explained last year’s decision-making process that resulted in the Reds regaining their Premier League crown.

Twelve months ago, the future of the club felt uncertain as Jurgen Klopp departed after nine years at the helm, along with the majority of his coaching staff.

Jorg Schmadtke, the club’s sporting director, also moved on after less than a year on Merseyside.

But what first looked like choppy waters ahead for Liverpool ultimately ended in plain sailing.

Milos Kerkez lifts lid on Arne Slot discussions over Liverpool role and Richard Hughes impact	Fernando Carro lifts lid on added difficulty of Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz transfer	Liverpool chairman Tom Werner on Arne Slot, historic transfer spend and FSG's future Anfield plans

The return of former chief executive Michael Edwards, who was hired as Fenway Sports’ new CEO in March 2024, plus the appointment of Richard Hughes as Liverpool’s new sporting director, proved an inspired selection.

They opted to hire Arne Slot as Klopp’s replacement, oversaw the quiet (but calm) 2024 summer window, worked with the new head coach to enable Liverpool’s sublime 2024/25 campaign and have made three major additions to the squad already this summer.

Reflecting on the decisions last year, Werner admitted he was always confident his new hires would help stabilise the club.

“We looked at this as an opportunity to reshape the football operations, bring back Michael Edwards, empower Michael and Richard to do the jobs that we knew they were capable of doing and then turn the page,” the club’s chairman told the Liverpool Echo.

“I am not smart enough to say there is only one way to achieve success but I had confidence and we had confidence that this was an opportunity and that Michael would be successful.”

Perhaps the biggest decision was made to bring in Slot, a manager that Werner admitted he had not previously heard of.

“We looked at it as an opportunity and what was so special about Arne was, I have often said he is very authentic and he is not trying to be the next Jurgen Klopp, the next Pep Guardiola, he is his own man and he is going to approach the club in his own sincere and thoughtful way,” he explained.



Werner pictured at the end of the season

“John [Henry], Mike [Gordon, FSG president] and I, we read all the reports about the various people who might be interviewed for the job, but I can tell you the research that went into finding Arne was really impressive and he was Michael and Richard's first choice.

"They did a lot of impressive background research on him, what he had done previously and they had good interviews with him and he was the first choice.

“I didn't know who he was but we were confident their thoughtfulness would achieve success.

“Now I think not a lot of people felt he would come in and win the Premier League this year but we did feel we would be in the top four."