Richard Hughes is set to take over as Liverpool sporting director this summer and Mirror Football takes a look at the tasks facing him in his new job ahead of a busy few months

Richard Hughes is ready to take over at Liverpool this summer as sporting director.

He will leave Premier League club Bournemouth to take on the gig at Anfield and will work under long-time friend Michael Edwards, who is overseeing the whole football project at the club.

But there will be plenty for Hughes to get his teeth into straight away and he’s sure to be involved in the conversations already ongoing – including finding a replacement for departing manager Jurgen Klopp.

Richard Hughes is highly-regarded in the game but faces a big step up (

We take a look at the major issues facing Hughes…

The manager
What a task to be handed. Edwards is currently leading this as he works out who is best to take on the huge role of replacing Klopp. Liverpool know they have to get the appointment right as they won’t want to fall behind their rivals by going into ‘transition’ or decline when the German departs this summer.

Klopp has been at Anfield for almost nine years and he’s been the key figure in the transformation from also-rans to bona-fide title challengers and contenders in Europe. The former Borussia Dortmund manager has taken on the might of Manchester City but now it will be up to someone else.

Xabi Alonso is the hot favourite but the Bayer Leverkusen boss has other admirers too. While there’s still a chance the Spaniard stays where he is. Roberto De Zerbi is known to be liked by Hughes but has he done enough at Brighton to take the step up?

Ruben Amorim is linked with every big job so there are names out there. It’s up to Edwards and Hughes to make sure they get the right one.

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Alonso is also attracting interest from Bayern Munich (
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Contracts
There are three senior stars heading into the final year of their current deals this summer. While Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are expected to leave when their contracts expire in June, Liverpool can’t afford to let Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk or Trent Alexander-Arnold run down theirs.

There have already been reports that Real Madrid are keen on Alexander-Arnold should he decide to leave Anfield so Hughes must ensure the right contract is put in front of the right-back this summer.

Alexander-Arnold is a big figure at the club, a future captain and if he doesn’t put pen to paper on a new deal before the start of next season, then reports will only intensify that he could leave. Given his age of just 25, it should be an easy deal to do if the money is right.

Deals for Van Dijk and Salah may be trickier given they’re in their 30s and decisions will need to be made on how long they should be offered extensions for and at what salary.
Both show little sign of slowing down this season but Liverpool will want to strike a balance while they can’t allow them to leave for nothing in 2025 either.

Big calls to be made there for Hughes.

Real Madrid would be interested in signing Alexander-Arnold (
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Signings
If Liverpool win the league, Europa League and Carabao Cup then it will be a sensational finale for Jurgen Klopp. It will also be remarkable given this is supposed to be a squad in transition and at its early stages.

There still needs to be work done on it, even if they do clinch a 20th league title. Whoever the manager is that comes in, they will want additions but the sporting structure will decide who is signed and work will already be underway.

A left-back may be one area to consider as improved back-up for Andy Robertson and maybe one day his successor. If a new manager believes Alexander-Arnold is a midfielder, then there may be a need for a back up to Conor Bradley at right-back.

Caoimhin Kelleher is a player who will bring some interest this summer given his impressive time deputising for Alisson and if the Irishman looks to leave, a back-up keeper would also be on the shopping list. A centre-back would only be needed if someone was to leave and similar in attack.