Liverpool have made hiring a sporting director a “priority” rather than resolving the futures of Mo Salah and Luis Diaz, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

There has been some speculation that Diaz could be sold this summer if Salah signs a new contract but, writing in his Daily Briefing column, Romano said decisions on players will only happen once a new director and manager are in place:

“There’s lots of talk about possible transfers at Liverpool, but I’d not link Mo Salah’s situation to Luis Diaz, honestly. Also in general, for Liverpool, with no director and no new manager yet, it’s absolutely not true that they are making concrete strategies on any player or any exit.”

“A new director is the priority, then a new manager and then an agreed strategy on players. Nothing is happening right now.”

Take any transfer speculation with a large pinch of salt

With sporting director Jorg Schmadtke no longer at the club and Jurgen Klopp leaving at the end of the season, there is no one in a position to make any final decisions about comings and goings in Liverpool’s squad.

That means fans should treat any stories about potential sales and new contracts with a great deal of caution until FSG have made further appointments.

Have Liverpool made any progress in appointing a sporting director?

Romano suggests that the Reds are going to make one final attempt to persuade Michael Edwards into returning to the club but many believe that their efforts will prove futile.

Alternatives will be looked at. Nice’s Florent Ghisolfi and former AC Milan director of football Frederic Massara are among the candidates. West Ham technical director Tim Steidten and Bayer Leverkusen transfer chief Simon Rolfes have also been mentioned.

FSG are reportedly hoping to have a new man in place by the end of this month, which will subsequently kick-start the search for Klopp’s successor.