Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargeaves has heaped praise on Liverpool football chief Michael Edwards.

Hargeaves feels Edwards sets the standard for football directors working in England.

He said: “I think you just look at Michael Edwards, what he's doing at Liverpool, the job he's done. The guy is putting on a clinic every summer in how to sign a player. Look at [Diogo] Jota, who has come in, the impact that he's had. Liverpool had a really good team before Alisson came in and [Virgil] van Dijk, but you don't need much then you go and sign one there, one there.

“You go from being a good team to a great team then add Fabinho, Thiago [Alcantara]. I just think that is the model, so I think you need that guy.

“It's not just about the coach. They've tried [Louis] van Gaal, they've tried [Jose] Mourinho. I think Ole now, give him time, but they've got to sort that side out, the recruitment is the only thing that's going to bridge the gap."