Richard Hughes struck GENIUS deal to secure next Sergio Busquets

Richard Hughes may have finally struck gold for Liverpool by securing the Reds' next Sergio Busquets.

The Reds' sporting director has been in his new job for just under a year and he hasn't put a lot on the table.

Liverpool Transfer News: World-class No9 has talks as Richard Hughes plans Diogo Jota swap deal

Hughes has failed to fulfil his primary task which was to tie down the likes of Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk to new deals.

With just a few months left from now until the end of the season the trio still haven't come any closer to extending their stays at Anfield.

Meanwhile, on the arrivals front, Giorgi Mamardashvili could prove to be a brilliant acquisition but we will have to wait and see. Federico Chiesa hasn't really been given many opportunities under Arne Slot.

READ MORE: Why Liverpool will SHATTER their transfer record for Julian Alvarez

And Hughes did not bring in a holding midfielder, which was probably the most desired position in the squad and which is why Ryan Gravenberch is starting to look very jaded.

But there is one thing, Hughes might have gotten right.

Why Hughes' Stefan Bajcetic deal has secured Liverpool's next Sergio Busquets

In the January transfer window, the Liverpool sporting director made the bold call to recall Stefan Bajcetic from his loan at Red Bull Salzburg.

Bajcetic's time at Salzburg did not deliver the rewards the Reds had hoped for. Former Liverpool assistant, Pep Lijnders struggled to make his mark and had been fired, leaving Bajcetic with a lot of uncertainty.

Instead of letting that frustration bubble up, Hughes recalled Bajcetic and sent him on loan to La Liga side Las Palmas.

This was a genius deal from Hughes because it has allowed Bajcetic to flourish again. He's come in to Las Palmas and playing regular football, while showcasing his quality against the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

He's playing in general against much better opponents and becoming a much better player.

Now a report from the Daily Mail has claimed that some people around the club have even started to compare Bajcetic to Sergio Busquets in his playing style and that is probably the highest praise you can get as a Spanish midfielder.

Given Bajcetic's reading of the game, it's definitely an interesting comparison as well and there is no denying if he continues in this kind of form he could very well be given another chance under Slot next season.

Slot likes midfielders of the mould of Busquets. He also needs more players like that in the squad to deputise for Gravenberch, which is why Hughes might have just delivered his best deal yet.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: The lowdown on Nico Schlotterbeck as Liverpool eye Dortmund star

Bajcetic's career has well and truly been revived and his journey back to Anfield is well on track.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool line up club record bid for Julian Alvarez