Future of Richard Hughes at Liverpool in doubt

Liverpool made big changes to their leadership structure when Jurgen Klopp left the club in 2024.

The legendary German manager was replaced as head coach by Arne Slot - while Michael Edwards returned to the fold as FSG’s new CEO of Football.

And one of the former sporting director’s first decisions was to install Richard Hughes as sporting director at Anfield. The Scottish exec has since overseen profound changes on Merseyside - including new contract deals for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

But his biggest legacy will be constructing a record-breaking transfer window last summer - during which he broke the British transfer record twice.

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were the headline arrivals in a £450m spending spree - with Hughes also balancing the books with around £200m worth of sales.

His work in securing those deals has placed him in the highest tier of sporting directors in the game - and it’s no surprise that his name is on the list for Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal interested in Richard Hughes

The Saudi Pro League giants are eyeing up major changes and have already approached Hughes about moving to the SPL. Right now there is no agreement - according to a new report in TEAMtalk but the PIF-backed outfit won’t go away.

Hughes is under contract until 2027 but Liverpool may well struggle to hold onto him that long. Because Al-Hilal - coached by Simone Inzaghi - are now tipped to come back in for Hughes following their hitherto unsuccessful approaches.

“Al-Hilal have made Hughes their top target for the sporting director role and have already tabled proposals in an attempt to convince him,” the report reads.

“Reports suggesting a deal is already agreed, which have resurfaced today, are wide of the mark. Claims of an imminent move are “not true,” despite persistent interest from the Saudi side.

“Al-Hilal’s determination is understood to remain strong, with those behind the project unwilling to take no for an answer as they seek to install one of the most highly-rated operators in European football.”

Al-Hilal won't take no for an answer

Hughes and Slot are currently at work plotting changes for the outgoing Premier League champions this summer. Among the changes mooted will be a new winger coming into the club while centre-back also remains an area for concern.

We could see a new right-back arrive amid concerns over Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. And goalkeeper Alisson Becker could also be on his way out the door with Juventus stepping up their interest.

Liverpool cannot afford any distractions ahead of a pivotal summer transfer window - and any questions about Hughes’ future on Merseyside will have to wait for another day.

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