Liverpool in talks to agree deal that cancels Richard Hughes plan
Liverpool look ready to call time on one of Richard Hughes' big plans. They're in talks to agree a deal.
Richard Hughes had a lot of grand plans at Liverpool. Few, if any, have actually worked out. Even the ones that everyone agreed on, in fact.
It looks clear in hindsight that only Mohamed Salah's incredible form in 2024/25, culminating in the Premier League title, secured a new contract that season. But even that didn't last the full deal - Liverpool cut it short in the summer.
The expensive signings have not delivered, either. The Reds are still looking for ways to get Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola flowing together. And that's only the more recent plans.
Go all the way back to Hughes's first summer in charge and you find an original idea that Liverpool are hoping to back out of.
Liverpool's goalkeeping plan
One of the very first deals Hughes did was to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. The Georgian remained on loan there for a season with the idea that he'd eventually take over from Alisson Becker.
Mamardashvili arrived properly at Liverpool ahead of last season to find Alisson was still very much around and very much first choice. That would remain the case throughout the season.
It did look like Alisson might leave in 2026 but Liverpool triggered a clause to keep him around for another year. A move to Juventus broke down over the finances, too, and then the club completed a deal for Lucca Brughmans to join in 2027.
The teenager will be one for the future - presumably the no.2 next season. Now, you'd think that meant no.1 would be Mamardashvili but you'd actually be wrong there. The Athletic carry quotes from Alisson saying he wants to sign a new contract and they report that Liverpool are in discussions to do just that.
It's a deal that would leave absolutely no place for Mamardashvili and end Hughes's plan to have him take over the no.1 spot. It was the original idea of the former sporting director but quite clearly not one that Liverpool wish to persist with.
And what that means for Mamardashvili is anyone's guess.
