Liverpool transfer guru is 'Best in the game', time to PROVE it

When discussing Liverpool’s success over the last decade, Michael Edwards is a name that cannot be ignored.

Responsible for some of the biggest transfer deals in the club’s history, Edwards’ influence on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team is undeniable.

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After a spell away from the club, Edwards is back as CEO of football for FSG – overseeing Liverpool and any other clubs that the ownership group decide to invest in – but now he has the help of another transfer guru.

Richard Hughes is Liverpool’s sporting director, the man directly responsible for the shaping of the playing squad used by head coach Arne Slot.

It has been nearly 12 months since Hughes took office at Anfield, and he’s not done that much publicly since, but he is still regarded as one of the best in the business.

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Hughes and Edwards are ‘The best in the game’

Despite only completing two transfers since his appointment, Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili, Hughes has received plenty of praise from around the industry this season.

The Scot was responsible for some important sales last summer but has failed to tie down any of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah or Trent Alexander-Arnold to contract extensions. As it stands, the trio will leave for free in less than four months.

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Although there has been a perceived lack of activity, Hughes is still very highly regarded by his peers.

“They’re the best in the game,” an anonymous rival Premier League director of football told the i newspaper. “Their combined contacts, knowledge and expertise is really impressive, so I’d be very surprised if there wasn’t a bigger plan in motion at Liverpool.”

This praise will be music to the ears of Liverpool supporters, but many will be keen to see it backed up in the summer transfer window.

Why are Hughes and Edwards so highly regarded?

Liverpool fans will be familiar with just how good Edwards is in the transfer market from his first stint at Anfield. Responsible for signing Salah for €42m, Andy Robertson for €9m and Thaigo for €22m, Edwards earned a reputation for signing superstars for more than reasonable fees.

Hughes is yet to prove himself at Liverpool, however. He was responsible for a decade of strong recruitment at Bournemouth, and appointed their current manager Andoni Iraola, and this is why he was chosen as the man to lead the Reds into a new, post-Klopp, era.

The lack of superstar signings at Anfield often leads to unrest online, but the fact Liverpool are within touching distance of their 20th league title should tell supporters all they need to know.

Hughes and Edwards are just at the start of the new era at Liverpool and it will take time to see their vision unfold, but starting with a Premier League title in your first season is a good effort.

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Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards are clearly very highly regarded by their peers, and it may not be long before supporters see their plan start to develop and there is truly no question as to whether they are the best in the business.