Edwards has left his position as chief executive of football with Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, the club confirmed.
FSG described the departure as part of a “planned transition following the completion of key strategic priorities”, though group president Mike Gordon admitted the owners are “naturally disappointed” about his exit.
The departure comes two years into a three-year contract, with Edwards having begun a second spell working closely with Liverpool in March 2024.
He was originally brought back by FSG to oversee the transition away from the Jurgen Klopp era, a period that required significant structural and footballing decisions at the club.
In a statement, Edwards said: “Liverpool is in a strong position, with outstanding people, a clear direction and the foundations in place for continued success.”
He added: “When I returned, I was excited not only by the opportunity to help guide Liverpool through an important period of transition, but also by the chance to help shape FSG’s wider football ambitions.”
Edwards also acknowledged that plans had shifted during his time back at the club, saying the “broader project ultimately evolved differently to how we had originally envisaged.”
He said he remained proud of “the work our team undertook in presenting ownership with a broad range of thoughtful and well-developed options for the future.”
Speculation is now growing that sporting director Richard Hughes could also be considering a move away from Anfield in the coming weeks.
The club faces a significant rebuild heading into the new season, with replacing Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah representing one of the most pressing challenges after the long-time talisman’s departure.
Edwards first joined Liverpool in 2011 and was promoted to the role of sporting director in 2016, before departing in the summer of 2022 after more than a decade of service.
His transfer market work during that period helped deliver some of the club’s most celebrated signings, including Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk.
Those recruits proved instrumental as Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for a top-flight league title in 2020 under Klopp’s management.
Klopp’s successor Arne Slot won the Premier League title at the first time of asking in 2024-25, but a difficult follow-up campaign led to him being replaced by Andoni Iraola, who is now beginning his work at the club.
