Richard Hughes' Liverpool exit raises serious questions about the Reds' summer spending
It has been one of the worst kept secrets in football, but Richard Hughes' time at Liverpool is about to come to an end. As reported by journalist Romain Molina, the 47 year old's "officially leaving" the Reds as sporting director to take the same role at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. He adds that an agreement "has already been signed".
That though is not the most interesting aspect of the report. Molina claims that, as many fans have always suspected, Hughes has already been "overseeing this summer transfer window for the Saudi club", going further by stating the fact that the Scotsman has been "juggling" both roles has not gone down well with others in the industry, believing this to be a conflict of interest.
So, is this a big loss? Well, after a decade at Bournemouth, it was viewed as a major coup when Hughes was appointed Liverpool's sporting director two summers ago. However, the Reds recruitment, both in terms of incomings and outgoings, has worsened during this time frame.
Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa were the only senior players signed during Hughes' first transfer window, before he oversaw last summer's splurge. Of the £420 million+ spent, only Hugo Ekitiké has so far proven a success, but who knows how good he will be when he does eventually return from injury. Meantime, at best, the jury remains out on last year's other expensive recruits Jeremie Frimpong, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Miloš Kerkez.
On the flip side, in recent years, Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konaté, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been allowed to run down their contracts. Meanwhile, selling Luis Díaz, Caoimhín Kelleher and Jarell Quansah, to one extent or another, appear to have been mistakes.
During this window, only Ronald Araújo on loan has arrived since Jérémy Jacquet and Víctor Muñoz officially joined all the way back on 1 July. Yes, more arrivals are expected before Tuesday's deadline, but leaving their big money signings until the last minute is just not very Liverpool is it?
The Reds were widely considered the best-run big club on the planet, but that zeitgeist has certainly precipitated. On the flip side, Al-Hilal have been busy. Crysencio Summerville has moved to Riyāḍh from West Ham for £68 million, while the Blue Wave are also set to sign Gabriel Martinelli and Ollie Watkins before the window closes, paying £56 million and £50 million respectively.
One would have to imagine that Hughes played some part in finalising these deals, which is not a great look, considering there is so much work to be done at Liverpool. Thus, Kopites are unlikely to be sad to see Hughes go. Michael Edwards was perhaps the unsung hero of the Jürgen Klopp era, and it is surely no surprise that his initial departure in 2022 has coincided with something of a decline.
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