Star FORCES Richard Hughes into new signing

Richard Hughes will be forced to take action after the demands of one Liverpool star. The Reds are in a tricky spot.

Richard Hughes is about to enter the busiest and biggest transfer window of his career. Last summer, after all, was relatively quiet.

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The then-new Liverpool sporting director wasn't tasked with any 'major' signings, instead pushing to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. It was an attempt that ended in failure, with Zubimendi deciding to remain at home right at the death.

Once that move was off, only two deals happened to bring players to Liverpool. Giorgi Mamardashvili arrived from Valencia, though he immediately went back there on loan.

Federico Chiesa then signed from Juventus. That's been a bizarre transfer, however - the Italian has barely played 30 minutes in the Premier League this season.

In other words, last summer didn't have much of an impact on the first-team squad. Not in terms of incomings, anyway.

That will change in 2025. Things are set to be much, much busier and even more than first thought.

For one of last summer's signings is forcing Hughes's hand.

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Giorgi Mamardashvili's problem

Estadio Deportivo quotes Cadena SER as saying that Mamardashvili would like to remain with Valencia next season if Alisson Becker doesn't leave Liverpool. The Georgian has no desire to sit on the bench behind the Brazilian.

And that puts Liverpool in a tricky position. Caoimhin Kelleher, the current backup, is set to leave the club as he enters the final year of his contract.

Mamardashvili should replace him and compete with Alisson but it appears he's not happy with that arrangement. The Reds face a decision, then.

Either Liverpool move Alisson on as well and need to replace two goalkeepers this summer or they let Mamardashvili remain in Spain and then need to sign a new backup goalkeeper. Either way, Hughes will be forced into the market.

It's an awkward one but also an understandable one. Mamardashvili rightly doesn't want to be a backup goalkeeper, even if Alisson's understudy typically plays often.

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This all points to Liverpool needing to buy a new goalkeeper this summer. Unless, of course, they can change Mamardashvili's mind.