Richard Hughes defended amid 'major coup' for Liverpool - Exclusive
Liverpool News presents the exclusive opinion of iconic football commentator Ian Darke.
Richard Hughes is rebuilding his reputation at Liverpool this summer.
The former Portsmouth defender joined the Reds last summer alongside Arne Slot and had been criticised for a lack of activity.
The Merseysiders won the Premier League title despite only signing Federico Chiesa last summer and the contract sagas surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah rumbling on.
Hughes ultimately sorted two of those deals, with only the former leaving for a new adventure with Real Madrid and he has redeemed himself with his actions this time around.
Hughes criticism at Liverpool was unfounded
Liverpool supporters piled on Hughes after the poor window and the contract situations, but neither were problems that he could control.
He inherited the contract saga, and he was settling into the job in the middle of the transfer window, and Ian Darke believes that criticism was unfair.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, he said: "No, I don't think so at all (that the criticism was fair).
"I know Richard Hughes pretty well actually, he used to play for Pompey in the Premier League, I've had the odd lunch and drink with him.
"He is a very good guy and a bright guy as well, with his finger on the pulse, he did a great job for Eddie Howe on the recruitment side at Bournemouth.
"Any criticism of him, to me, looks pretty harsh since Liverpool went on to win the title anyway.
"He is working pretty much in concert with Arne Slot and the other guys on the recruitment team, so, no, and I think they have pulled off a major coup with Florian Wirtz because half of the top teams in Europe would love to have him on board."
Hughes could pull another coup with Isak deal
Hughes could be set to pull off the biggest deal of his career in L4 yet, if he can get a deal for Alexander Isak over the line.
The Newcastle striker has made his intentions to leave St James' Park clear, and the Reds could swoop and seal a transfer.
The 25-year-old would take them to the next level as he is arguably the best number nine in world football right now.
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