Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to leave the club for Saudi Arabia soon, but it was business as usual as he joined Andoni Iraola at the club's training ground
17:19, 09 Jul 2026
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 09: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Academy director Alex Inglethorpe, sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Andoni Iraola of Liverpool during an U21 training session at AXA Training Centre on July 09, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes joined Andoni Iraola at the club's training ground(Image: Getty Images)
Richard Hughes has been spotted alongside Andoni Iraola as Liverpool’s sporting director looks set to leave the club soon.
The pair have been reunited after working together at Bournemouth, with Iraola having been appointed as Arne Slot’s successor earlier this summer. They could be separated again soon, though, with reports claiming that Hughes will be exiting the club following this summer’s transfer window.
The Scot has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia for some time now, and with just a year remaining on his contract at Anfield, Liverpool is expected to be on the lookout for a new transfer chief soon.
According to The Athletic, Hughes is expected to join Al-Hilal, where he will work with his former colleague at Bournemouth, Simon Francis. Senior figures at Liverpool have insisted that it’s business as usual at the moment, though, with Hughes’ focus still on the Reds this summer.
And that appeared to be the case as Hughes was seen at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre on Thursday, joining Iraola and the club’s academy coaches as some of the club’s senior players were put through their paces alongside the Under-21’s players.
Among those in training were new signing Jeremy Jacquet and Harvey Elliott, whose future is up in the air after his nightmare loan at Aston Villa last season.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 09: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Sporting director Richard Hughes of Liverpool during an U21 training session at AXA Training Centre on July 09, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Hughes is expected to leave Liverpool after the current transfer window(Image: Getty Images)
Hughes was seen speaking to Iraola during the session, with the pair still looking to add to their squad as pre-season looms for the first-team. More of the club’s senior players are expected to return to training on July 14, although some will return later after being involved at the World Cup.
Among those set for a late arrival is Victor Munoz, who remains the only new signing made this summer. Liverpool’s current priority remains to find a new right-winger following the departure of Mohamed Salah.
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Hughes and Iraola may well have spent time discussing their options on Thursday. Yan Diomande now looks to be off the table, while Bradley Barcola has been named among the alternatives being considered by the Reds.
Liverpool.com says: Hughes being pictured with Iraola at training certainly doesn’t feel like a coincidence. Given the reports that the sporting director is expected to leave the club, this does feel like Liverpool’s way of allaying any fears that he could face any distractions this summer.
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Let’s hope that is the case, since the Reds have plenty of work to do still. After last season, it’s clear that not only is a new right-winger needed, but also the midfield and defense need strengthening — hopefully Hughes still has a few things in the works.