It's fair to say the jury is still out on Richard Hughes at Liverpool. However, that could be about to change if he can pull off what Michael Edwards could not.
Hughes has struggled to make a name for himself during the beginning of his career at Anfield.
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There was a lot of expectations in the summer transfer window for the Reds to reinforce the squad. However, in the end there were no major improvements made to the team.
Giorgi Mamardashvili only arrives at the club next summer. Meanwhile, Federico Chiesa has spent more time in the treatment room than on the pitch so far.
But Hughes is determined to change perceptions and bring in the acquisitions Liverpool desperately need.
Why Richard Hughes could sign Joao Pedro and why Michael Edwards could not
According to UOL in Brazil, Liverpool have stepped up their efforts to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton.
Pedro has been in great form over the last couple of seasons and has really established himself as a top Premier League footballer over the course of the last 12 months.
This is not the first time Pedro has been linked with Liverpool. In fact he has been on the club's radar for over five years back when Michael Edwards was the sporting director at Anfield.
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Edwards has spotted Pedro as an up and coming teenage talent at Fluminense. As per the Daily Mail, Liverpool even enquired about his services.
However, in the end the club's pursuit came to nothing. Pedro ended up moving to Watford instead.
During those times, Edwards had a lot of pushback at Anfield on buying players from South America directly. This is something we wrote about recently and something that looks like it could soon change.
But in the case of Pedro at least it seems like not all hope is lost.
Sure, Liverpool could have got him for a lot cheaper much earlier on in his career. However, if Hughes can land him now years after and he turns out to have a hugely successful career at Anfield, no one will remember what could have been.
It's like that time Liverpool almost signed Mohamed Salah from Basel before Chelsea swooped in.
Perhaps Pedro could now become Hughes' very own Salah. It certainly seems like Liverpool are ready to make a move based on the latest reports.
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