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Liverpool transfer chiefs Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards to remain in place for summer

  /  autty

Two of Liverpool's most important decision-makers, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, are set to remain in place for this summer's transfer window amid uncertainty over their futures.

Edwards brought Hughes to Liverpool from Bournemouth to take on his former role of sporting director in the summer of 2024 when he returned to Anfield as FSG's head of football.

Both of them are contracted until 2027 and expected to stay in post for what is shaping up to be a crucial summer at Anfield after a disappointing defence of the Premier League title and question marks over Arne Slot's future.

Liverpool have faced criticism for a record Premier League transfer spend of nearly £500m last summer that has seen the team go backward this season but it is understood the club is happy with Hughes and Edwards' work.

Finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah will be top of the agenda as well as trying to get the most out of big-money signings Alexander Isak (£125m) and Florian Wirtz (£116.5m).

Hughes and Richards have overseen £459m in spending since the summer of 2024, the majority coming last summer with the signings of Isak, Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Giovanni Leoni.

They have offset a large amount of that by selling £290m-worth of talent, including Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Ben Gannon Doak, Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

There has been speculation around Hughes' future because of interest from Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, while FSG reportedly shelving plans to establish a multi-club model ownership group has raised doubts about Edwards' position.

Edwards described FSG's commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club was "one of the biggest factors" behind his decision to return when he was appointed in March 2024 to lead the post-Jurgen Klopp era.

Hughes and Edwards were responsible for hiring Slot to replace Klopp and the Dutchman proved to be an instant hit, leading Liveprool to the title in his first season.

Liverpool signed only Federico Chiesa in the summer of 2024, before they lifted a record-equalling 20th English league title, spending a Premier League low of £12.5m.

However, a change of tact last summer, when Liverpool spent a Premier League record £446.5m in one window, backfired with the reigning champions set to end the campaign trophyless.

Liverpool, who won the title by 10 points last season, are now fighting for Champions League qualification, sitting in the final, fifth spot with six games left in the season and sixth-placed Chelsea just three points adrift.

Rate Hughes and Edwards' Liverpool signings

1) Federico Chiesa - signed from Juventus for £12.5m

2) Milos Kerkez - signed from Bournemouth for £40m

3) Jeremie Frimpong - signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £29.5m

4) Giorgi Mamardashvili - signed from Valencia for £29m

5) Florian Wirtz - signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £116.5m

6) Hugo Ekitike - signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m

7) Giovanni Leoni - signed from Parma for £26m

8) Alexander Isak - signed from Newcastle for £125m