Liverpool have held talks with Jorg Schmadtke over their sporting director vacancy, 90min understands.

The Reds are on the hunt for a replacement for Julian Ward, who will leave the role at the end of the season having only been promoted into the job last summer following Michael Edwards' departure.

59-year-old Schmadtke was at German outfit Wolfsburg as recently as February and sources have told 90min he is manager Jurgen Klopp's preferred candidate for the position.