If Jorg Schmadtke has designs on staying on as Liverpool's sporting director, the next few days will surely be crucial.
The German was something of a surprise appointment when he took over from Julian Ward at the beginning of June having been coaxed out of retirement after just a few months to take on the biggest role of his career at the AXA Centre.
Having enjoyed a stellar playing career as a goalkeeper, Schmadtke only enhanced his reputation in his homeland as sporting director with Aachen, Hannover, Koln and finally Wolfsburg, who secured qualification back to the Champions League during his time there.
However, it's fair to suggest the name was not exactly a household one for Reds fans when he penned what was a one-year agreement at the beginning of the summer. With his predecessor Ward completing much of the legwork for the £35m deal for Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion, Schmadtke was given a handover of duties following the capture of the Argentina World Cup winner.
From there, the £60m release clause of Dominik Szoboszlai was triggered at the end of that month as the Reds wrapped up the deal in less than a week having paraded the Hungary captain as their player just six days after informal talks were initiated with agent Matyas Esterhazy.
If the depth of Schmadtke's knowledge of the Bundesliga was gently leaned on for Szoboszlai, it was no doubt needed in spades alongside manager Jurgen Klopp when the Reds were forced to pivot following the collapse of moves for both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
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