Richard Hughes, it seems, has attracted a number of admirers for his work this summer.
The former Bournemouth technical director was left with the unenviable task of helping oversee our transition away from Jurgen Klopp.
David Ornstein now reports that the 45-year-old Scot has earned praise for his handling of a summer window that saw Arne Slot take the reins and several players sold.
“Credit to Richard Hughes. I’ve said this a few times on air and some fans have reacted quite badly, but I think bit by bit, people are starting to say similar things,” the Athletic journalist spoke on The Athletic FC podcast.
“It’s just watching, listening and talking to people who are better-versed in the situation than us. They’re very complimentary. I speak to other clubs, directors, people who move in a similar world, sporting directors, technical directors… and so far, they’re taking their hat off to Richard Hughes.
“He arrived from Bournemouth and there was some scrutiny around that. Is he good enough for the job at Liverpool? Michael Edwards clearly thought so because that was his pick as sporting director at Liverpool when he took the role as CEO of Football for Fenway Sports Group.
“He didn’t have much time to get his feet under the table. He was working at Bournemouth and, of course, he would have had an eye on his next job, but that wouldn’t have been easy – nor will have replacing Jurgen Klopp after nine years at the club.
“He had to set about instilling a new culture and environment at the AXA training complex, employing new staff in various positions, bringing deals to the table for departures such as Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg, overseeing that and raising yet more money through exits, Liverpool have been so good at that. And then looking at what they can do incoming. They decided they would only do things that would add to the squad and improve it. So a No.6 was on the agenda; everyone could see a mile off it was something that if Liverpool could do, they should do.”
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As far as major incomings were concerned, the Merseysiders managed to get a move for Giorgi Mamardashvili over the line whilst Federico Chiesa was the club’s opportunistic arrival from Juventus.
READ MORE: David Ornstein suggests Liverpool could repeat Van Dijk transfer trick in January
Has Richard Hughes overseen a solid window for Liverpool?
As much as our Italian new boy fixes a clear need in the forward line for greater depth – particularly as far as the right flank is concerned – there’s no question that other holes remain.
Our chief concern at Empire of the Kop is the backline and the failure to secure a new centre-back after allowing Sepp van den Berg and Joel Matip to depart.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have, admittedly, performed wonderfully together since Slot opted to reinstate the partnership at Portman Road. However, questions remain over the Frenchman’s ability to avoid injury and the long-term future of Joe Gomez.
Ryan Gravenberch’s brilliance in the No.6 role has quieted concerns over the holding midfield role – a vacancy many had expected to be filled by La Real’s Martin Zubimendi.
Intriguingly, our interest in the Spaniard is thought to remain, even despite our No.38’s strong start to the campaign. Though, as things currently stand, we can’t see the club managing to secure our No.1 target from the summer window.
It’s not a poor window from Hughes – and the scope of the challenge following Jurgen Klopp’s exit simply can’t be ignored – but we can’t help but feel as if a number of checkboxes are still in need of ticking.
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No he’s been too slow we missed key signings got rid of too many kids and has left the three amigos frustrated
There is money Richard get your finger out
Despite Matip going, I don’t think we have a problem at centre back. Van Den Berg leaving makes zero difference as he hasn’t been in the squad for a few years. We have VvD and Konate backed up by Quansah and Gomez. Issue is, if we’d spent £50-60m on say Yoro or Guehi. Could you realistically justify spending that much on a rotation player. I don’t think so. That money has to be spent in midfield.
The front line is sorted with two players for each position, the same for the defence. The middle is the clear issue Macca, Gravenberch and Szobo, backed up by Endo, Jones and Elliott is lightweight, one injury is concerning, two would be really tough.
Frustratingly we have missed out on Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Caicedo, Lavia and now Zubimendi. We only needed to hit one of these to have a pretty much perfect squad. That might come back to bite us. I’m praying they all stay fit or Nyoni or Morton have massive development during the season.
Fair analysis. Just that Tyler Morton was omitted from the MF list. Think he’s a very promising prospect.
Besides, a bit of a surprise that both Bajcetic and Clarke were shipped out. Thought at least one of them should have been retained in order to have adequate options in the MF.
Thank God we missed Caicedo and Lavia…!😆…
They are both Endo-type of holding middlefielders, just younger and more energetic (and more injury prone also!!!😁).
Imagine to having payed 110mil for a type of player that doesn’t suit the new coach ‘s game!!…😬
We missed a bullet there..
It’s far to early to say Richard Hughes has been a success. Doesn’t matter what Ornstein wants to pump out or how many times he repeats it. He’s fumbled his roles a few too many times and has not real work to be judged by.
He hasn’t bought any players. When Virgil, Salah, Trent are secured or replaced adequately that will be the moment to judge Hughes. If the squad runs out of steam by March, Hughes will be in for a tough time, so a little bit of humility wouldn’t go a miss.
This season is a free hit and as much to do with Jürgens and Jorge legacy as it is Slots appointment.
Totally agree. We are only 3 games into the season and it’s too early to pass judgement on Hughes.
I reckon Elliott can deputise for Macca and Dom but our problem starts if Ryan gets injured. I would be tempted to throw Morton in b4 Endo or Curtis.
If VVD gets a injury (think back) we will be in serious trouble, as we were back then.
Unforgivable that we have no top CB as backup. Quansah and Konate not a first class CB pairing.
Sep shouldn’t have been sold in the first place.
He is such a level-headed player who could augment the central defence.
As one stated when Virgil had injury last season the team was so much affected. I also feel we could have avoided the recurrence that bottleneck.
Fully agreed with Edfie. I am sure things could have moved faster in getting identified signings to come in way before transfer deadline. If not, why spend so much efforts getting rid of academy products so highly valued and performed admirably last season?