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Richard Hughes has left his position as sporting director of Liverpool and is expected to join Al-Hilal in a similar role.

The 47-year-old worked for two-and-a-half years at Anfield and completed his duties by guiding the club through the recent summer transfer window.

Upon leaving the club, Hughes told Liverpool’s website: “First and foremost, I would like to reiterate what I said upon my arrival. It has been a source of great pride to have been given the opportunity to serve this incredible and unique institution. That is something I will always be grateful for.

“My appreciation extends to ownership for their support and leadership, to club staff at all levels who give so much to make Liverpool FC what it is, to the players who make such an enormous contribution and to the fans who support the team in great numbers whenever and wherever games take place.

“I’ll always follow and support the club with great affection, and I wish everyone involved nothing but success for this season and beyond.”

Hughes, appointed in March 2024, was tasked with leading the rebuild on the back of manager Jurgen Klopp’s exit. The Scot, formerly of Bournemouth, picked Arne Slot as Klopp’s replacement, and Liverpool won the title in his first campaign.

Difficulties followed in the second season on the back of the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and further changes to the squad – and he leaves with the team in a state of flux following a £700 million outlay on incomings during his tenure.

Liverpool have recouped around £250m through sales across that period as well as lowering the average age of the squad by hiring elite-level players under the age of 26, including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, Hugo Ekitike and the young centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni.

Links to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal started last year, around the time Michael Edwards privately informed Liverpool that he would be standing down from his role as CEO of football for Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

His exit was the worst-kept secret in football – The Athletic reported in July that the Scot was expected to join his former colleague Simon Francis in the Middle East.

Despite this, senior FSG figures insist there was never a concern over his commitment to the club despite knowing that he would be leaving at the end of the transfer window.
Hughes pushed on with targets, including the pursuit of Barcola, and recommended Andoni Iraola as the new head coach having previously worked with him at Bournemouth during a successful period. FSG president Mike Gordon will lead the search process for a replacement.

Liverpool are expected to look at internal candidates to replace Hughes, but are not ruling out a new appointment.

FSG’s technical director, Julian Ward, who served as Liverpool’s sporting director in 2022-23, is likely to be considered alongside the current assistant sporting director, David Woodfine, and FSG’s director of football development Pedro Marques, all of whom continue to work at the club.