Liverpool have just dropped a clue about who could replace Richard Hughes as their new sporting director

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There won’t be too many Liverpool supporters who are sorry to see Richard Hughes leave his role as sporting director if he follows through on a rumoured move to Al Hilal.After just over two years leading the Reds’ football strategy, there have been strong claims that Hughes will leave for Saudi Arabia at the end of the summer window.Such is the way of football in 2026, sporting directors have become just as famous as the managers they hire, and all eyes will be on who Liverpool decide should succeed their outgoing incumbent. What are your thoughts on a possible return to Liverpool for Nunez?

He's leaving Al Hilal. Perhaps Andoni Iraola's chaotic style could get the best out of him… Getty Images/Michael Regan/Premier League While there are quite a few celebrity sporting directors out there who fans may want to see the club go for, Liverpool have usually looked within when making these kinds of appointments.And after he was seen taking the lead while showing Andoni Iraola around the AXA Training Centre and Anfield during a behind the scenes look at his first visit to the club for LFCTV on Thursday, current assistant sporting director David Woodfine could be in line for a promotion.David Woodfine takes the lead with Andoni IraolaIt was fascinating to watch Iraola take his first steps as Liverpool head coach last week, and intriguing to note that it was Woodfine who appeared to be doing much of the talking.Hughes was there, of course, as was his boss Michael Edwards, but both men hung back by the door of training ground changing room for example, while Woodfine walked and talked with Iraola.Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Liverpool’s hopes of pre-World Cup deal for Yan Diomande begin to fade as delay is explainedThis did not look to be simply a case of two men chatting, either, Woodfine appeared to be in full work-mode, while Hughes and Edwards watched on.He was also by Iraola’s side as the Basque walked out to the training pitches for the first time, before standing deep in conversation with him as they looked out over the grass.Woodfine a definite candidate to replace HughesWhen Edwards initially left Liverpool in 2022, many had expected that the Reds would look to a big-name director to replace him.However, they decided to go down the internal route instead, promoting Julian Ward, who had spent years learning under Edwards.

Ward ultimately left after only one year, before returning in 2024.He could again be a candidate if he stays at Anfield beyond Hughes and Edwards, but given his ties to his two colleagues, it feels more probable that Ward will also look to go.Having been at Liverpool since 2014, Woodfine is also indelibly linked to Edwards, but as assistant sporting director, he has a straight path to the top job if he stays. While this could all be inconsequential, and irrelevant, and nothing is official in regards to Hughes anyway, it does feel as though Woodfine’s interactions with Iraola were a small clue into what will happen when it’s all change at Liverpool again in the next 12 months.