Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has spoken about his relationship with Arne Slot and insists he remains convinced last summer’s record transfer spend will ultimately pay off at Anfield.
Appointed in March 2024, Hughes played a key role in Slot’s arrival as head coach following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
Despite limited transfer activity in Slot’s first summer, the Dutchman guided Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th league title.
However, fortunes have dipped this season after a major squad overhaul, with £450m spent on new signings and significant departures recouping around half that figure.
With Liverpool currently sixth and outside the Champions League places, Slot has come under scrutiny, but Richard Hughes has dismissed suggestions of pressure from the club hierarchy or any immediate threat to the head coach’s position.
Hughes also acknowledged that Liverpool have not been able to strengthen their injury-hit defence this season, although a £60m deal has been agreed for Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet to arrive in the summer, admitting the club cannot always provide Slot with every player he wants.
“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,” said Hughes. “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.
“You have to have an opinion – it was an opinion that got Arne into the position he is in, so you can’t shy away from that. But once you have the right person and believe in that person, the judgement isn’t something that is happening on a daily basis. You are working together to achieve something together.
“Did it help that we came in together at the same point? Possibly. But it’s more important that we had synergy right from the first moment. Understanding who he is as a football manager, how he wants to work, trying your best and it’s not always possible to put them in the best possible position to have all the tools they require, and that’s what I feel my job is then.”
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