Liverpool are on the cusp of a new era following Jurgen Klopp’s departure as manager.
Klopp bid an emotional goodbye to the Reds as the curtain came down on the Premier League season last week.
Since then, the German has been updating Liverpool fans with what he’s been doing via social media. It still feels surreal that Jurgen is no longer around the club.
It isn’t just the boss who has exited, though. Klopp’s Liverpool coaching team has also been decimated, with incoming head coach Arne Slot set to bring in his own group staff.
FSG have also had to appoint a new sporting director. After Jorg Schmadtke left in January, Richard Hughes is set to begin his work at Anfield under CEO of football Michael Edwards.
Richard Hughes working behind the scenes at Liverpool
Hughes’ tenure with Liverpool isn’t due to start for another week. The Bournemouth man will officially join on the 1st of June.
Nevertheless, Hughes was reportedly heavily involved in the selecting of Slot as Klopp’s successor. He’s been busy already.
With summer targets like Leny Yoro already being selected, Liverpool will need the 44-year-old to hit the ground running once he does join.
And according to journalist Paul Gorst, Hughes has been getting the ball rolling on some crucial business for Liverpool.
Speaking on the Blood Red podcast, Gorst says that the new sporting director is laying the groundwork for contract talks with three key members of the Liverpool squad.
“The contract situations of Van Dijk, Salah and Trent are obviously huge aren’t they, but that’s not necessarily Slot’s remit to sort that out,” says the journalist.
“I think Richard Hughes has already been speaking to agents of Liverpool players and sort of introducing himself for what might be to come in the next couple of weeks.”
Will Liverpool trio sign new contracts?
As well as any incoming business, this matter is the biggest of Liverpool’s – and therefore Hughes’ – summer.
We need to know what’s going on with Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold. It’s coming up to crunch time.
All entering the final 12 months of their respective deals, there’s anxiety over all three. As Trent is the youngest of the trio and still yet to hit his peak, his situation is arguably causing the most worry.
Despite reported interest from Real Madrid though, it seems more likely that the 25-year-old signs on to stay at Anfield.
As for Van Dijk and Salah, there is also little suggestion that either will leave this summer.
We’d love to see them both given extensions too, but it feels more realistic that they could leave in summer 2025. Hopefully we’ll get a clearer picture once Hughes starts properly.