Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has been told he will "never be forgiven" for a transfer decision that proved costly for the Reds last season
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes during a Premier League match
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool attacker Jermaine Pennant has criticized sporting director Richard Hughes for a transfer decision made back in 2025, insisting he will never be forgiven.
The Scot assumed the role in the summer of 2024 and oversaw the appointment of Arne Slot, who then went on to win the league in his first season at the club. After a quiet transfer window in 2024, the following year looked vastly different with quite the overhaul of a title-winning squad.
Despite major incomings like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, a number of players were sold in order to offset the huge amount of spending. Darwin Nunez, for example, was expected to depart given he'd fallen out of favor at Anfield, but Luis Diaz was also sold after failing to agree a new contract.
The Colombian winger joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in a deal worth £65.5 million ($88.5 million), but he was not immediately replaced in the squad and Liverpool's lack of pace in wide areas was a key problem last season. This summer, the club has signed Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola, but also lost Mohamed Salah on a free transfer following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.
Speaking on social media platform X, Pennant shared his views on the transfer decision that came back to bite Liverpool last season. "I really miss Luis Diaz," he wrote.
"Richard Hughes you’ll be forever hated for that. You will always walk alone."
It's fair to say Hughes has come under some criticism this summer as the squad overhaul continued. Some issues in the squad were exposed throughout preseason and in the first two Premier League matches, such as right back and the makeup of the midfield, but business throughout the summer was kept to a minimum.
Luis Diaz in action for Liverpool during a Premier League match
Luis Diaz departed Liverpool in 2025 and joined Bundesliga side Bayern Munich(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It remains to be seen whether the problems fans and the media have identified prove costly this season, or whether the club's hierarchy is vindicated in its reserved approach. It is also widely reported the Scot will be departing Anfield for a new job in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal.
In the meantime, Liverpool's latest signing Barcola could be in line for a debut when Andoni Iraola's men take on Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Friday night. The Reds will be hoping to pick up their first win of the campaign following back-to-back draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
Then, focus will shift to Champions League action with the visit of Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night. The return of midweek action will be the first real test of Liverpool's squad depth and whether it can maintain playing twice a week.
Next weekend, Fulham comes to Anfield for a Saturday afternoon kickoff. It will be hoped the Reds' summer signings can make a quick impact, but there is plenty to prove before Liverpool can be considered a potential title challenger, which is somewhat alarming given the club was league champion a little over a year ago.