Rating every Liverpool signing under Richard Hughes after £670m spend
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Liverpool have announced the departure of Richard Hughes as sporting director following a two-year spell in which the club have spent £670m on players.The Scot, who is set to join Saudi club Al Hilal, was also instrumental in Arne Slot’s appointment as head coach and departs Anfield having revamped a squad now under Andoni Iraola’s guidance.Last month’s arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain was the third signing carrying a fee north of £110m, but many of the 16 players Liverpool have signed during Hughes’ tenure are yet to make a significant impact.Here is how they have all graded so far, with the caveat that this summer’s ratings are projected.2024/25Giorgi Mamardashvili - Valencia (£29m) - CThe goalkeeper arrived during Hughes’ first window at Anfield and the deal included an immediate loan back to Valencia. He occasionally made an impact off the bench last season - winning the club’s player of the month award for September - but is just not good enough.Chiesa was Liverpool’s only outfield signing in Arne Slot’s first summer in charge (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)2025/26Alexander Isak - Newcastle (£125m) - CThe record signing’s goals away to Ipswich Town on Friday night perhaps signalled a belated arrival, while the broken leg that kept him out from December of last season onwards was an obvious caveat.
Needs to win over plenty of skeptics, although the latest signs are promising.Isak scored twice against Ipswich on Friday, showing signs that he could yet prove to be a good signing at Anfield (Getty)Florian Wirtz - Leverkusen (£116m) - CThe jury remains out. His physicality remains a question mark.Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on during the pre-season friendly match against Como (Getty)Hugo Ekitike - Frankfurt (£69m) - BMade a flying start and appeared the most convincing of last season’s arrivals before rupturing an Achilles tendon in April, forcing him to miss the World Cup.
He has been loaned to Austrian club Hartberg for this season, made a senior debut for Hungary in June and could have an impact down the line.Freddie Woodman - Preston (free) - CShowed he could be depended upon when sprung into action late last season when Alisson and Mamardashvili were both injured. Based on current market values he may prove a bargain in the long-term.Munoz has shown plenty of early promise (Getty)Ronald Araujo - Barcelona (loan) - CUruguay defender has been convincing in early performances, including at right back away to Ipswich, and may be fuelled by proving a point to parent club Barcelona, whom he captained last season but endured a difficult spell having been sent off.Lucca Brughmans - Genk (£30m) - CAnother young goalkeeper.