Key figure agrees to leave Liverpool, Slot's future is sealed

Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, is reportedly set to depart Liverpool for Saudi Arabia, amid simmering power struggles at Anfield.

According to sources from The Telegraph, Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, is said to have reached an agreement to join Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League following a challenging season for the Merseyside club.

Hughes was appointed by Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season after over a decade as sporting director at Bournemouth.

If he moves to Al Hilal, he will join a new project alongside manager Simone Inzaghi and reunite with Darwin Nunez, a player he sold for £46 million last summer.

Hughes was also behind Liverpool's extensive recruitment drive in the recent summer transfer window, when the club spent nearly £450 million to sign notable players such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong.

Significantly, Hughes's departure could substantially impact manager Arne Slot's future at Liverpool, as Hughes played a key role in bringing the Dutch strategist to Anfield when he joined the club two years ago.

Currently, Slot faces significant pressure ahead of the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Galatasaray. Nevertheless, according to SunSport, the coach had previously hoped Liverpool would add a midfielder and a defender during the recent summer transfer window.

Speaking at yesterday's press conference, Slot admitted that hearing negative reactions from fans was “an unpleasant feeling”. However, he also emphasized that he has never felt isolated since arriving at Anfield.

“I have never felt I had to walk alone, not even for a minute since coming here”, Slot stated.

Last weekend, Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham , in the weekend's final round. This result gave manager Igor Tudor his first point since taking over Spurs, after five matches in charge.

Meanwhile, manager Arne Slot still has a chance to salvage the situation if The Kop can overturn the 0-1 first-leg defeat in the Champions League round of 16 against Galatasaray. However, if they exit the European competition early, the risk of Slot being dismissed before the season concludes remains entirely possible.