21 hours ago
7
Al-Hilal has reportedly reached the advanced stages of negotiations over recruiting Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes.
The surprise report comes from a Riyadh-based sports journalist, via Yahoo, who says Hughes will begin work with Al-Hilal next summer, should he end up agreeing to join the club.
Chelsea sporting director Paul Winstanley has reportedly emerged as Al-Hilal's back-up choice should it fail to convince Hughes to leave Anfield. Hughes only joined Liverpool last year, and he was instrumental in appointing Arne Slot as well as overseeing a remarkable transfer window for the Reds over the summer.
Hughes produced a masterstroke in 2024 when he settled on Slot as a replacement for the outgoing Jurgen Klopp, with the Dutchman going on to win the Premier League during his first season in charge of the Reds.
Liverpool has struggled to maintain its high standards this season, losing six of its last seven games in all competitions, but Slot's position is not believed to be under threat.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Premier League game against Aston Villa, Slot said he isn't feeling any pressure from above.
"I speak mainly to Richard [Hughes] and once in a while to the others (Michael Edwards and FSG)," Slot said. "They also see similar things as what I see.
"For me the conversations haven’t changed a lot. We always talk about the game and it’s always nicer to talk about the game if you have won than if you have lost.
"[I feel supported] not only in this period but also when things go well. I'm a firm believer all the squads I had were 20-21 players that can play because if you have too many it's already a struggle to make a squad. But then you have to keep them fit."
Addressing criticism he faced after Wednesday's League Cup loss to Palace, for comments he made after the game when he suggested the squad lacked depth, Slot said: "Tell me if I’m wrong but I think during the week [the reaction] was about when I said something about the squad we are having, and that could have been seen as criticising or an excuse?
"What I meant was, if these players are all fit we have so much quality. This club is in such a good place when you look at the quality we have for the short-term future and the long-term future."
English (US) ·