Jörg Schmadtke might strike once more for Liverpool to secure a $44 million deal just as quickly as Alphonso Davies.

This summer, Jörg Schmadtke became somewhat of a Liverpool trademark. He could be able to use the same tactic to get a speedster from the Bundesliga for a low price.

It’s still unknown what Jörg Schmadtke’s long-term plans are. After Julian Ward left Liverpool as sports director, he took over for a brief period of time and handled one of the most significant summer transfer windows in the team’s recent history. But will this be a “one and done” situation?

The club’s satisfaction with his summer work is evident from the fact that he is still involved at Liverpool. After the transfer window closed, everyone was supposed to sit down and have the choice to “shake hands and go their separate ways,” according to The Athletic. However, Schmadtke’s employment has been kept.

It makes sense considering how the new players have adapted to life at Anfield. While Ryan Gravenberch has since had his moments, Dominik Szoboszlai garnered most of the early praise. Wataru Endō and Alexis Mac Allister were also among the players that stole the show during the weekend’s match against Fulham.

For End, success seems especially important. That was by no means an FSG signing, and it would seem reasonable to assume that Schmadtke’s and Jürgen Klopp’s connections and expertise of the Bundesliga played a role. It can’t hurt the sporting director’s job as he starts to establish himself in a possible title run — provided, of course, that he wants to stay for another summer or longer, having come out of retirement to take the position in the first place.

There’s a strong likelihood that Schmadtke will push Liverpool to reenter the Bundesliga if he remains in the position in upcoming transfer windows. Over the summer, that turned into a bit of a trademark, with every recruit signed under his supervision coming from Germany’s top division.

Although Mac Allister was from Brighton, Ward was there to help put that transaction together. Schmadtke did, however, follow through on that decision and sign another clever release clause contract as his first Liverpool signing.

Although Szoboszlai’s valuation was not as low as Mac Allister’s, FSG and Schmadtke have both demonstrated a preference for release clauses, which provide fixed costs and the possibility of earning more money. The Bundesliga presently has one such clause, therefore Liverpool’s sporting director’s suggestion would not be a significant departure.

For Bayer Leverkusen, under Xabi Alonso, Jeremie Frimpong is performing admirably. Arriving from Celtic in 2021 at the age of just 22, he had first came via Manchester City’s junior ranks. Now, one of the main players in an unlikely title charge is the right-back.

Frimpong will be extremely happy with his return of four goals and six assists in his first 13 league games, despite the fact that Alonso’s system has granted him a great deal of freedom. In the meantime, the Bundesliga has him tied with Alphonso Davies and other players as the division’s quickest player thus far this season.

That $44 million (£35 million/€41 million) release clause, which expires in the summer, seems like a good deal. According to 90MIN, Alonso’s unblemished streak was preserved in the recent 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund, where scouts from Liverpool and Arsenal saw him play.

Because of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool would not have been interested in a right-back in the recent past. However, as talk of a permanent midfield shift gains traction, Schmadtke might have to find a replacement for him in the defensive line.

If Alexander-Arnold were to transfer, Klopp would undoubtedly still prefer a very attacking profile at that position. Frimpong is definitely that kind of Davies on the right.

A lot of what-ifs exist. Is Schmadtke going to be around to promote another Bundesliga team? Is Alexander-Arnold going to play in midfield after all? How much does Klopp think Conor Bradley is capable of? These could all be used as grounds for a transfer.

Frimpong is a sensible choice for Liverpool’s long-term sporting director, though, regardless of who gets appointed to the position. It’s tempting to think about doing another release clause deal.