Headline: Richard Hughes Faces Criticism Over Liverpool’s Spending and Transfers
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has come under increased scrutiny over the last 12 months.
Recognized as the top executive in the football industry last year, Hughes managed to secure contract renewals for key players Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
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This summer, following Arne Slot’s successful campaign that led to the 2024/25 Premier League title, Hughes aimed to build a formidable team.
Prominent signings included Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, both of which came with eye-watering British record fees. Substantial investments were also made for players such as Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Richard Hughes is still spending money
During this transfer window, Hughes spent approximately £450 million, although a significant portion was recouped through the sales of players like Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quasah, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The hefty spending spree continued with further record-breaking acquisitions. Earlier this summer, Hughes brought in Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz, while paying £123 million for Bradley Barcola.
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There remains a chance that Liverpool may acquire another winger before the transfer window closes on Tuesday – with goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans also signing for €35m for 2027 – but the Reds have been criticized for throwing good money after bad.
Few of Hughes’ high-profile signings have delivered results, and the renewal of Salah’s contract ultimately fell apart. Salah is set to join Al-Hilal, departing as a wealthier player but leaving a tarnished reputation in Merseyside.
Richard Hughes hasn’t even replaced Caoimhin Kelleher properly
The transfer strategy, particularly in the goalkeeping department, exemplifies the challenges Hughes has faced at Liverpool over the past year.
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After selling Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford in 2025 for just £12.5 million, the Irish keeper has emerged as a first-choice goalkeeper with notable talent, fulfilling the promise he showed at Anfield as a homegrown player.
Supporters of Liverpool would have preferred Kelleher to remain and compete to eventually replace Alisson Becker, whose contract runs until 2027.
Instead, Hughes invested an initial €30 million in Valencia’s Mamardashvili, who has struggled to make a positive impact since his arrival.
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€30m on Mamardashvili, another €35m on Brughmans
The 25-year-old Mamardashvili was selected as Alisson’s successor instead of the beloved Kelleher, who could not be assured the same opportunities.
Given Mamardashvili’s performances to date, a deal has now been reached for the acquisition of Belgian teenager Brughmans from Gent.
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This implies that Hughes has spent around €65 million trying to replace a fan-favorite who arguably didn’t need to be replaced at all. Kelleher required only a new contract and a defined pathway.
Unfortunately, that assurance was not provided, despite Alisson’s recurring injury issues and declining save percentage.
Now, having gambled on Mamardashvili, the prospect of him leaving has arisen as Nottingham Forest shows interest in the player.
Another inexperienced teenager is set to join the club, with the 18-year-old Belgian international expected to face immediate challenges.
This situation illustrates a misstep that could have been avoided if Hughes had chosen a more sensible path initially.
As it stands, the Kelleher – Mamardashvili – Brughmans saga demonstrates how a once financially prudent club is now squandering funds with minimal security for a return.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has come under increased scrutiny over the last 12 months.
Heralded as the greatest exec in the land last year Hughes oversaw contract renewals for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
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And in the summer transfer window after Arne Slot delivered the 2024/25 Premier League title Hughes constructed what was supposed to be a super squad.
In came Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak on British record deals. Hefty fees were also paid for Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Richard Hughes is still spending money
Hughes spent around £450m in that window – albeit with plenty coming back through sales including Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quasah, Caoimhin Kelleher and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
That spending spree has been followed up by yet MORE record-breaking deals. Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz were onboarded earlier this summer with £123m going on Bradley Barcola.
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There remains the possibility of Liverpool landing another winger before the window closes on Tuesday – with goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans also signing for €35m for 2027 – but the Reds have long been throwing good money after bad.
Barely any of Hughes’ all-star purchases have worked out and the contract renewal for Salah went up in smoke. He will be heading off to Al-Hilal a richer man but his reputation around Merseyside will be ruined.
Richard Hughes hasn’t even replaced Caoimhin Kelleher properly
And the transfer business conducted in one position in particular sums up what’s gone wrong for the Reds and Hughes over the course of the last year or so.
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With a contract expiring in 2026 Caoimhin Kelleher was SOLD to Brentford in 2025 for a fee of only £12.5m.
Since then the Irishman has established himself as a first-choice goalkeeper of considerable renown – delivering on the potential he showed at Anfield as a homegrown player.
Liverpool fans would have loved Kelleher to stick around and stake a claim to become Alisson Becker’s natural successor – with the Brazilian out of contract in 2027.
But Hughes instead threw an initial €30m at Valencia for Mamardashvili – who has not lived up to his billing since his arrival.
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€30m on Mamardashvili, another €35m on Brughmans
The Georgian, 25, was earmarked as Alisson’s replacement instead of Kelleher – a crowd favourite who could not get the same guarantees.
Given Mamardashvili’s failures in his appearances thus far however a deal has now been struck to bring in the Belgian teenager Brughmans from Gent.
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It means that Hughes has spent around €65m on replacing a beloved star who really didn’t need replacing. All Kelleher needed was a new contract and a guaranteed pathway.
He could not get that – even in light of Alisson’s frequent injury trouble and dwindling save percentage.
And now the gamble on Mamardashvili has backfired with the player reportedly looking to move on with Nottingham Forest interested.
Another untested teenager will be coming to the club with the 18-year-old Belgian youth international set to be thrust in at the deep end from the get-go.
This was a disaster that could have been avoided had Hughes simply had the nous to do the right thing in the first place.
Instead the Kelleher – Mamardashvili – Brughmans deal becomes another example of a once financially prudent club spurting money all over the place with little to know guarantee of a return.
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