Liverpool fans are only just discovering incredible fact about Richard Hughes

Liverpool fans are only just discovering an incredible detail about Richard Hughes before he joined the Reds as sporting director, which has left many supporters stunned

Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, is a former Premier League player(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool fans have discovered that sporting director Richard Hughes knocked the Reds out of the FA Cup 22 years ago.

Before he worked behind the scenes at Bournemouth before moving to Liverpool in 2024, Hughes was a soccer player playing predominantly as a defensive midfielder. He began his career in Italy with Atalanta’s youth setup before moving to Arsenal and later Bournemouth, where he made his senior debut.

Hughes is best known for his long spell at Portsmouth between 2002 and 2011, during which he also had a short loan stint at Grimsby Town in 2003. Following a year out of the game, he returned to Bournemouth and eventually retired from playing in May 2014 at the age of 34. He also earned five caps for Scotland during his career.

Liverpool was knocked out of the FA Cup in a fifth-round replay in 2002 as Portsmouth secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Hughes, which was his first for the club.

The decisive moment came after Michael Owen missed a second-half penalty, a costly setback that allowed the hosts to hold on and send the Reds out of the competition.

Fans on X have been left in disbelief, with one user asking: "Is that who I think it is?"

After retiring from playing, Hughes moved into the backroom setup at AFC Bournemouth, joining the club’s recruitment department under then-manager Eddie Howe.

He later rose to the position of Technical Director during Bournemouth’s spell in the Premier League, playing a key role in shaping their transfer strategy and long-term planning.

The 46-year-old joined Anfield alongside Arne Slot and, after a relatively subdued first year in the market, Liverpool moved decisively in the following window.

The club committed around $600 million on incoming transfers, offsetting roughly half of that through several high-profile departures. Despite the outlay, the Reds sit sixth in the Premier League, with Slot under mounting pressure as their title defense falters.

Opening up on his relationship with the Dutchman, Hughes said: "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."

Hughes was speaking on the latest episode of The Reds Roundtable, released the day after the January transfer window closed. He was joined by Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan and Slot, who said: "We have spoken almost on a daily basis since we started, you get to know each other even better.

"What I really like about working for a sporting director is that whenever I need him, he is there for me. But you don't constantly feel that all the decisions you are making, he is judging them."