Richard Hughes 'on shortlist' for Saudi job as Liverpool's private thoughts emerge

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Liverpool could soon be contacted by Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal, who have shortlisted club chief Richard Hughes for the role of sporting director this summerSaudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are interested in hiring Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, despite a rocky second season at the club. In January, reports first emerged linking Hughes with a move to the Saudi Pro League - and they have resurfaced once more.Hughes is under contract with Liverpool until June 2027, but reports from the Middle East claimed he had agreed to join Al-Hilal.

The Telegraph have now reported that he is, in fact, on a three-man shortlist for the role of sporting director at the Saudi side.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! The 46-year-old is close to Michael Edwards, the chief executive of football for Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group, and hasn't yet been in position for two years.Were he to agree to join Al-Hilal, Hughes would not start work until the summer.

Despite being unbeaten, the Riyadh-based side are currently second in the Pro League, three points behind Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.They are owned by the country's Public Investment Fund, managed by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi and the team contains Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly and former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.Hughes may already be familiar with Al-Hilal given they are one of the Saudi Arabian clubs who have shown an interest in Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. He said he was "incredibly proud" to join Liverpool, where he has been backed with huge financial power by FSG.Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League, 21 points behind leaders Arsenal, and rather than fighting for the title, they are battling for a place in next season's Champions League.