The first signing of the Richard Hughes administration looks to be ending in failure.
He was named Liverpool’s sporting director as part of the new structure following the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
A’manager’ would no longer have the final say over transfers and contracts. This would be the job of the athletic director.
Hughes was fired last summer, first and foremost, over the contracts, despite the fact that it was later portrayed as a mistake by previous administration.
That may be true to some extent.
The announcement of Klopp’s leaving most likely caused some disruption behind the scenes as attention in-house shifted to a successor.
However, it was stated as Hughes’ main priority last summer, and again ahead of January, to resolve the contract problems of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The wait goes on.
And it’s not like those agreements were put on hold as the Reds loaded up on incoming transfers. Their sole approach to Martin Zubimendi failed.
Despite roster constraints and the need for replenishing, Liverpool reached deadline day with only Giorgi Mamardashvili signed on loan. He continues at Valencia for the season, where he is having a difficult time.
Furthermore, the utility of signing another goalkeeper when Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher are still performing admirably should be considered.
FSG restricts Liverpool’s expenditures again.
Federico Chiesa was inserted at the very last minute. Hughes previously stated that Liverpool needed to make ‘opportunistic’ deals this summer. That was enough to upset supporters who had become accustomed to FSG and their frugal methods.
Again, it appears that Liverpool will have to balance the books in each transfer window. The additions of Mamardashvili and Chiesa were partially offset by the departures of Sepp van den Berg, Fabio Carvalho, and Bobby Clark.
And, far from being an opportunistic signing, Chiesa has become an albatross around Hughes’ neck.
For the most part, he has been unfit and unavailable. He hasn’t pulled up any trees on the training field. As a result, the 27-year-old appears to be on his way back to Serie A, either on loan or permanently.
The Reds, who have him under contract until 2027, are anticipated to fund a portion of his salaries to allow him to return to Italy sooner. Hughes’ chances look bleak.
Arne Slot cannot do anything with Chiesa.
He’s seen Arne Slot improve several of the players Klopp left him with. The recruitment of Ryan Gravenberch, for example, was initially questioned, but Slot has produced an outstanding player.
Similarly, Cody Gakpo and Ibrahima Konate have thrived, repaying Klopp and the Reds recruiters’ faith in them.
However, he has been unable to achieve much with Chiesa, whose deal is proving to be a disaster.
When you consider the contracts, which are still in effect, you get the idea that Hughes needs a swift triumph in order to improve his reputation.
Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Salah, Andy Robertson, and other players will eventually have to be replaced. Furthermore, Konate, Curtis Jones, and Conor Bradley’s contracts will need to be settled soon.
Richard Hughes has not proven himself capable in his first few months in leadership.
