Richard Hughes opens up on Arne Slot position and makes Liverpool transfers vow

Richard Hughes and Arne Slot

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has opened up on his relationship with Arne Slot and remains "convinced" the record-breaking transfer spend last summer will prove a success at Anfield.

Hughes, who was announced in his position in March 2024, was integral in the appointment of Slot as Reds head coach a few months later in succession to long-term manager Jurgen Klopp.

Despite minimal activity during the first summer transfer window of Slot's tenure, the Dutchman went on to lead Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th championship.

Fortunes, though, have taken a downturn this season after a squad overhaul that saw £450million spent on new players and half that amount recouped with the departure of a number of key regulars.

While Slot has been heavily scrutinised given the Reds currently standing outside the Champions League qualification berths in sixth place,

Hughes has dismissed any suggestion of pressure being applied from the club's hierarchy over team selection and that the head coach's position is under any immediate threat.

And with Liverpool having failed to bolster their injury-hit defensive ranks for the remainder of the season -

although a £60m deal has been agreed for Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet to join in the summer - the sporting director admits the club aren't always able to give Slot the players he requires.

Hughes

“Fundamentally, there's the understanding for both parties and everyone at wide, that everything involving matchday, team selection, tactics, that's always the manager or head coach,"

"That's their domain. It's very important not to step into that.

"Of course we talk about football and performances but I always let Arne lead that. Naturally in a conversation I will come up with an opinion and not just react to Arne's, but always waiting for the right time to share these things is critical.

"You have to have an opinion - it was an opinion that got Arne into the position he is in, so you can't shy away from that.

“But once you have the right person and believe in that person, the judgement isn't something that is happening on a daily basis. You are working together to achieve something together.

“Did it help that we came in together at the same point? Possibly. But it's more important that we had synergy right from the first moment.

“Understanding who he is as a football manager, how he wants to work, trying your best and it's not always possible to put them in the best possible position to have all the tools they require, and that's what I feel my job is then."

Hughes was speaking alongside Slot and Liverpool chief executive officer Billy Hogan as part of the latest episode of The Reds Roundtable.

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