Liverpool fans apologise to Richard Hughes as big Anfield news emerges – ‘Hats off’
Richard Hughes has been subject to intense criticism since joining Liverpool as their new sporting director.
The former Bournemouth executive inherited a brutal situation in which three of the Anfield outfit’s best players were out of contract in the summer.
He was also slammed for a lack of action in the transfer market last summer and in the winter window as the Reds chose to stick with the same squad.
However, opinions on the 45-year-old are beginning to change after he signed Mohamed Salah to a new deal and a new update dropped on Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk signs new deal at Liverpool
Most of the uncertainty surrounding the big three at Liverpool has now been ended with just Trent Alexander-Arnold’s situation left to deal with.
Van Dijk has signed a two-year extension to keep him on Merseyside until 2027 and put an end to speculation surrounding his future.
| Stats | Van Dijk | Liverpool rank |
| Clean sheets | 97 | 1st |
| Games won | 160 | =3rd |
| Duels won | 1,227 | 1st |
| Interceptions | 255 | 2nd |
Arne Slot can now plan for the future knowing that two of his key assets will not be going anywhere next season.
Liverpool fans retract Hughes criticism after Van Dijk update
Hughes have faced a ridiculous amount of criticism in his first year on the job with the Reds.
Supporters were particularly incensed when Manchester City signed Omar Marmoush in January while the L4 outfit sat still and did nothing to strengthen but they have been forced to concede on this occasion.
Colossal, Leader, Legend. the captain stays, My hat off to you Richard Hughes now lets make it a stellar summer
— Max Bray (@max_bray10) April 17, 2025
looks like Richard Hughes knows a thing or two about his job… haha.
— cactus drew (@DrewTheeFourth) April 17, 2025
Richard Hughes. Hats off 👏
— Kriss (@KrissDZN) April 17, 2025
Twitter bots told me Richard Hughes was a problem
— boleh (@firsta1dkit) April 17, 2025
We’ve got both Salah and VVD signed for the exact wages they were on before, whatever Hughes and Edwards are doing in the boardroom is legendary
— Politician’s Hangman KE (@kiarie_KNK) April 17, 2025
VVD and Salah new contract, and yet deluded #FSGOUT brigade were out in full force all season questioning Hughes/FSG. Contracts CAN be signed at any time and this proves it #LFC
— lfcfan667 (@lfcfan667) April 17, 2025
Richard Hughes in the negotiations to VVD and Salah after Trent declined his deal https://t.co/i4rlnJjhHe pic.twitter.com/PtILrkq2GX
— Dahir 💚🤍❤️ (@dahirmo17) April 17, 2025
All this talk about the summer window, might just write my apology letter to Richard Hughes now tbh 😭
— AS (fan) (@ArneSlotBall) April 17, 2025
Fair play, Richard Hughes. Credit where it’s due.
— kappe (@kappetweets) April 17, 2025
Respectfully handled both contract situations simultaneously and got them both to agree on new deals without pay rises. Both on 2 years as well, which was what the club wanted.
Let him cook
Michael Edwards & Richard Hughes at the wheel 👊🏼🔴 #LFC
— Matthew Yapp (@1992yappy) April 17, 2025
However, that move looks like a masterstroke with Slot’s side set to win the Premier League title provided that they do not endure a huge slip-up in the final few weeks.
Now that the future of two of their best stars is sorted, the Merseysiders can focus on putting their plans together for the summer and revamping the team to go for the biggest honours again next season.
Hughes deserves credit, he has not allowed the negative noise to affect his job and has gone about the renewals behind the scenes, with nothing leaking to the press before it was announced by the club.
He has passed the first part of the test but business during the offseason may be the defining moment of his reign at Anfield.