Liverpool look to have found form on the pitch under Andoni Iraola but there is currently much instability off it
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Richard Hughes, sporting director at Liverpool fc during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Richard Hughes has joined Al-Hilal(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
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Liverpool are navigating a period of significant off-pitch upheaval as sporting director Richard Hughes has left the club to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. On the pitch, Andoni Iraola's tenure has begun to show signs of progress.
The Reds emphatically swept aside Ipswich Town in the Basque's third match at the helm, with Alexander Isak scoring twice after two earlier draws. The victory lifted the mood around Anfield ahead of what will be Iraola's maiden fixture in European football, with a Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid at Anfield to come on Wednesday night.
However, the positive atmosphere on the terraces is tempered by instability behind the scenes. The full extent of the recruitment department shake-up is now becoming clear, while there's cause for concern regarding one of Liverpool's summer signings. TheECHO takes a closer look.
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Two more departures confirmed
While Al-Hilal have announced the appointment of Hughes, Mark Burchill and Craig McKee, who joined Liverpool with him in the summer of 2024, have also departed for the Saudi-based club.
The pair had worked alongside chief scout Barry Hunter in the recruitment division, supervising the club's transfer activity during the 2025 and 2026 transfer windows. At Al-Hilal, Burchill will take up the position of director of recruitment, and McKee will assume the role of the club's director of scouting.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 05: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Richard Hughes sporting director of Liverpool during his first press conference at AXA Training Centre on July 05, 2024 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Hughes has left the Reds after two years(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Official announcement of Hughes' appointment arrived a day after news emerged that he would be departing his position at Anfield, having arrived from Bournemouth two seasons previously.
Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon is leading the hunt for a new sporting director. In a statement published on their official website on Sunday evening, Al-Hilal said: "The appointment of Hughes came as part of Al-Hilal's efforts to strengthen its football system and develop its sporting structure with specialised expertise.
"This will contribute to raising the quality of technical work, developing recruitment and scouting processes, and enhancing integration across all aspects related to the football sector."
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Concern over summer transfer raised
Liverpool may have some early worries regarding Ifeanyi Ndukwe's loan stint at Levante, with the young defender still awaiting his debut. The 18-year-old completed a move to La Liga during the summer transfer window in a bid to gain valuable experience, as well as the chance to secure work permit eligibility.
The centre-back caught the eye during Liverpool's pre-season campaign after signing from Austria Wien this summer. He featured in the starting line-up for every match.
Across all three fixtures of his loan spell thus far, Ndukwe has been left among the substitutes, with Adrian Dela and Aissa Mandi getting the nod over him. Ndukwe's loan was effectively necessitated by the Reds' inability to obtain a work permit for the defender owing to his absence of top-flight experience.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe in action during pre-season
Liverpool youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe in action during pre-season(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Work permits are issued via a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), which requires the player to accumulate sufficient points to feature in certain competitions.
Ndukwe will qualify for a GBE after making one appearance in La Liga. Liverpool have also included a potential break clause in the loan arrangement, meaning he could rejoin the club in January should he accumulate the necessary points.
Nevertheless, early indications suggest that opportunities for the youngster may prove difficult to secure. Put simply, if he fails to get the minutes needed then the loan will have served little purpose for either player or club.