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.
Giorgi Mamardashvili – Valencia (£29m) – C
The goalkeeper arrived during Hughes’ first window at Anfield and the deal included an immediate loan back to Valencia. He made 19 appearances in all competitions last season, keeping three clean sheets. Allison Becker remains first-choice but is out of contact in 2027. Mamardashvili, though, has yet to convince as Alisson’s long-term successor.
Federico Chiesa – Juventus (£12.5m) – D
The injury-prone Italy forward made two Premier League starts in two seasons under Arne Slot and been omitted from this season’s Champions League squad under Andoni Iroala. 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.
Alexander Isak – Newcastle (£125m) – C
The 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. Yet his impact before then was disappointing. Needs to win over plenty of skeptics, although the latest signs are promising.
Florian Wirtz – Leverkusen (£116m) – C
The jury remains out. Struggled early on but there were signs of adaptation as an underwhelming debut campaign wore on. Needs to impact games consistently this season to ensure he does not go down as an expensive mistake. His physicality remains a question mark.
Hugo Ekitike – Frankfurt (£69m) – B
Made 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. There is no timeframe for his return and how well he can dovetail with Isak remains a question.
Milos Kerkez – Bournemouth (£40m) – D
Struggled under Slot but there is optimism he can rediscover the form that earned him the move from Bournemouth while being coached by Iraola.
Jeremie Frimpgong – Leverkusen (£29.5m) – D
Another disappointment who it is easy to pair with Kerkez on the opposite flank. That loan arrival Ronald Araujo was favoured instead of him at Ipswich may be ominous.
Giovanni Leoni – Parma (£26m) – C
Hard to grade considering he made one appearance and then sustained a serious knee injury from which he is yet to return. Iraola has said the plan is for the teenager to resume team training at the end of September and hopes remain high that he can be a long-term mainstay at the back.
Armin Pecsi – Puskas (£1.5m) – C
Young goalkeeper is yet to make a competitive appearance but appeared in matchday squads last season while impressing for the Under-21s. 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) – C
Showed he could be depended upon when sprung into action late last season when Alisson and Mamardashvili were both injured. Having not cost a fee, it was a sound bit of business.
2026/27 (projected)
Bradley Barcola – Paris Saint-Germain (£123m) – B
The latest statement arrival and a gifted player who has proven he can produce on the highest stage. Inevitably hailed as Mohamed Salah’s replacement despite operating on the opposite wing, the hope is that becoming the main character at Anfield rather than a mere cast member in Paris could see him hit new heights.
Jeremy Jacquet – Rennes (£60m) – B
France U21 defender was signed in February but only arrived in the summer and seems to have settled well alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Victor Munoz – Osasuna (£35m) – B
Promising early signs from the Spain winger. Based on current market values he may prove a bargain in the long-term.
Ronald Araujo – Barcelona (loan) – C
Uruguay 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) – C
Another young goalkeeper. Will not arrive at the club until next summer.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe – Austria Vienna (£2.6m) – C
Teenage centre back joined in late August and was immediately loaned to Levante. A modest fee for a player with significant room to develop – it may well prove very smart business.
