Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool talks to re-sign extraordinary wonderkid

Liverpool are in talks with a special wonderkid over a new deal as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Time is running out. Both in terms of the window as we enter the final few days and also for Richard Hughes at Liverpool.

He is expected to join Al Hilal at the end of the summer and if that happens, the remaining days of the window will determine how Hughes is remembered at Anfield.

There is certainly no shortage of issues to resolve.

Liverpool are undergoing a significant period of transition. Andoni Iraola has replaced Arne Slot, new players have arrived and changes are also taking place at ownership level with new minority shareholders coming into the club. Collectively, it represents a substantial shift in direction.

However, the squad has not yet been reshaped to the same extent.

Several weaknesses remain, particularly in terms of depth and attacking options, while the futures of a number of existing players are still unresolved. That creates a complicated situation for Iraola, who needs a squad capable of supporting the demands of his tactical approach from the outset.

The remaining weeks of the window are therefore critical.

For Hughes, this is not simply about completing a few additional transfers.

It is about addressing the structural problems that have remained evident throughout the summer and ensuring Liverpool do not enter another season with an imbalanced squad.

His recruitment record will ultimately be judged on whether the squad functions as a whole rather than on the individual quality of his signings.

There have been positive developments, and some of the players Hughes has brought to Liverpool could become important figures over the long term. But the sporting director has also overseen a period in which significant investment has not always translated into a balanced squad.

That makes these final weeks particularly important.

If Hughes can resolve the outstanding issues and provide Iraola with the depth and profiles required, he will have an opportunity to leave on a stronger footing.

If the same gaps remain when the window closes, his tenure will inevitably be judged more critically.

The time available is limited, and the decisions made now could ultimately define how Hughes' period at Liverpool is remembered.

One of Hughes' last parting gifts might not be a new player though. Instead it could be securing the long-term future of one of the exciting new faces of Andoni Iraola's era.

Rio Ngumoha arrived in the same summer Hughes arrived at Anfield. Since then, he has become a superstar and so it would be fitting that Hughes' final act at the club would be to secure a new deal for the exciting wonderkid.

It's something Liverpool are actively working on.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed in his most recent YouTube video that Liverpool are expecting to accelerate talks over the coming weeks over a new long-term deal for Ngumoha.

The 17-year-old winger has attracted the attention of Bayern Munich but Liverpool consider him not for sale and a key part of their project.

If Hughes gets this over the line, it will certainly go a long way in terms of his legacy being a positive one at Anfield.

However, even more important will be to secure new arrivals who will reinforce Iraola's squad and give the club's new head-coach the best chance of success.