Richard Hughes' exit as Liverpool's sporting director was confirmed at the weekend, with the Scot leaving Anfield after just over two years, during which time he spent around $900 million on transfers
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Liverpool's and ex-Bournemouth director of Football Richard Hughes during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and AFC Bournemouth at St Mary's Stadium on February 15, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Richard Hughes has left his role as Liverpool's sporting director after two years(Image: Getty Images)
Richard Hughes’ reign as Liverpool’s sporting director has come to an end, with the Scot’s departure being confirmed at the weekend.
His exit doesn’t come as a surprise, with his move to Saudi Arabia - although not yet confirmed - having been expected since the start of the summer. He is the latest to leave amid a major overhaul, which began with the firing of Arne Slot as head coach at the end of May.
In just over two years at Anfield, Hughes was at the head of five transfer windows for Liverpool, during which time he spent around $900 million on 20 signings, including the club’s four most expensive arrivals of all time.
Very few of those signings have impressed thus far, though, which has led to Hughes’ reputation tanking among some Liverpool fans. Here, ***Liverpool.com***has ranked all of his transfers from worst to best…
No ranking
Straight off the bat, there are a few signings for whom it would be very unfair to rank. These are all players who have been signed for the club’s academy and have not yet made a first-team appearance, and in the cases of Djylian N’Guessan and Lucca Brughmans, won’t even arrive at the club until next year.
Djylian N’Guessan (Saint Etienne, $5.8M)
Ifeanyi Ndukwe (Austria Wien, $3.5M)
Armin Pecsi (Puskas Akademia, $1.8M)
Mor Talla Ndiaye (Amitie FC, $1.4M)
Lucca Brughmans (Genk, $41M)
Will Wright (Salford City, $272,000)
14 - Federico Chiesa (Juventus, $17M)
Federico Chiesa was seen as an opportunity that was too good to turn down when he signed from Juventus in 2024 - but even at that severely reduced price, he has proved to be a poor signing.
He simply hasnt been available anywhere near as often as Liverpool would've wanted, and when he has been, he has failed to make an impact, bar his memorable goal against Bournemouth last season.
Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa has been a poor signing for Liverpool
13 - Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia, $40M)
It looked as though Giorgi Mamardashvili was being lined up as Alisson Becker's heir when a deal was struck with Valencia in 2024, a year before he arrived at Anfield.
He made plenty of appearances as the Brazilian's backup last season, but now it seems as though the club might be entertaining the idea of offloading him. A very strange signing if that proves to be the case.
12 - Ronald Araujo (Barcelona, loan)
Although he's low down on our list, Ronald Araujo is not necessarily a bad signing by Hughes. Given he was only signed on loan as a result of Liverpool's defensive injury crisis during the summer, we can't really rate him much higher though.
He did a solid job on his first start at Ipswich, and who knows, he may well go on to sign permanently for the club, in which case he might work his way up the list.
10 - Alexander Isak (Newcastle, $170M)
Alexander Isak's two goals at Ipswich will hopefully prove to be the turning point in his Liverpool career. As things stand, though, the Reds' record signing can't be considered a success.
His first season was ravaged by injuries and yielded just four goals. Liverpool needs to get a lot more out of him to justify that huge price tag.
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11 - Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen, $40M)
After losing Trent Alexander-Arnold, you could see the logic in signing Jeremie Frimpong - another attacking option to play at right-back. His first year or so at Anfield has not been convincing, though.
He struggled with injuries in his first season, and when he has played, he has looked shaky. He doesn't seem overly comfortable at right-back or on the right wing, and the chances of Liverpool playing a back three or five to suit him look slim.
9 - Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen, $158M)
Like Isak, Florian Wirtz can't be considered anywhere near a successful signing yet. He could go on to be a superstar for Liverpool, but he needs to offer a lot more than he has done so far.
There have been glimpses of his quality, although never really in big games when you'd expect him to put his stamp on proceedings. That needs to change soon.
8 - Bradley Barcola (PSG, $167M)
Right now, Bradley Barcola is not a bad signing or a good signing. He's only played about 30 minutes after all!
There's no doubt he is an exciting acquisition, but like Isak and Wirtz, he will need to justify that price tag and reach superstar status for the Reds. We'll wait in anticipation...
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Bradley Barcola of Liverpool reacts during the warm up before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool FC at Portman Road on September 04, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola is Liverpool's latest big-money signing(Image: Getty Images)
7 - Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth, $54M)
Reviews of Milos Kerkez have been mixed during his time at Liverpool so far. Having had a shaky start to life at Anfield, he seemed to be finding his feet midway through his first season, only to regress and lose his place to Andy Robertson.
With Robertson now gone, Kerkez is undoubtedly the first-choice left-back, but he will need to answer his critics with some more assured performances than he's delivered so far.
6 - Freddie Woodman (Free)
Freddie Woodman was never brought in to play regularly. In fact, it's something of a surprise that he has played at all.
As a free agent signed to offer some experienced back up to Alisson and Mamardashvili, Woodman has done his job, and even came up with big moments against Everton and Crystal Palace last season. Without those, Liverpool might not have qualified for the Champions League.
5 - Giovanni Leoni (Parma, $40M)
What little we have seen of Giovanni Leoni was promising. Unfortunately, his first season was cruelly cut short before he could even finish his debut.
Hopefully he can go on to deliver on that promise when he returns from his ACL injury. Liverpool might have to be patient, but Leoni could prove to be a really exciting signing.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were record signings for Liverpool last year(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
4 - Victor Munoz (Osasuna, $47M)
It was clear last season that Liverpool desperately needed some pace in the side. In signing Victor Munoz, they've certainly got that now.
He has made a positive early impression so far, and given his relatively low price tag, he looks as though he might prove to have been a bit of a bargain.
3 - Jeremy Jacquet (Rennes, $82M)
The early signs have been very promising from Jeremy Jacquet. The 21-year-old looks assured on the ball, and looks as though he will be the perfect long-term option at center-back.
It is of course still early days, but if he stays on track, Liverpool will have a superb player at the heart of its defense for years to come.
2 - Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt, $107M)
Undoubtedly the standout signing of last summer, Hugo Ekitike managed to find his feet almost instantly in the Premier League while his fellow new arrivals struggled.
His Achilles injury in April was a major setback, but hopefully he will be able to pick up where he left off when he returns.
1 - Rio Ngumoha (Chelsea, $9.2M tribunal fee)
Whichever way you look at it, the signing of Rio Ngumoha was a terrific addition by Hughes and his team. Nabbed from Chelsea's academy, he's already shown he's deserving of his place in the first-team - and he's only just turned 18.
He looks as though he has the potential to be a special player for Liverpool, and even if the interest from the likes of Bayern Munich ends up turning his head, the Reds will almost certainly make a huge profit on him. That's a great signing in anyone's books.