Report Suggests Richard Hughes Allowed One Player to Leave Liverpool Despite Slot’s Desire to Keep Him
iverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is reported to have approved the departure of a first-team player in the summer, despite Arne Slot’s desire to keep him.
In the six months since the Premier League triumph of 2024/25, several key members of that title-winning squad have moved on, with some exits far more surprising than others.
Among the most notable was Luis Díaz. The Colombian winger, who scored 17 goals last season, was sold to Bayern Munich for £65.5m (via The Guardian) and has already struck 11 times in 18 games under Vincent Kompany.
Hughes Overrode Slot on Díaz Exit
According to sources cited by CaughtOffside, Hughes went against Slot’s wishes when sanctioning Díaz’s sale four months ago, with the Liverpool head coach describing the day of the transfer as “sad.”
Slot had no intention of letting the 28-year-old leave and had even pushed for the club to offer him a new contract. However, Hughes reportedly felt there was little value in extending Díaz’s deal and considered Bayern’s offer too attractive to reject.
Díaz Disagreement Highlights Wider Rift at Anfield
The stark difference in opinion between Hughes and Slot over Díaz reflects the broader disconnect currently surrounding Liverpool’s hierarchy.
Liverpool’s recruitment team has historically been praised for selling players at the right moment, but in hindsight, it’s difficult to ignore how much this current side could use Díaz’s energy, work rate and goal threat.
Even during quieter spells in front of goal, the Colombian never lacked effort or determination — qualities expected of anyone representing Liverpool but which appear to be missing from the present group.
Some supporters felt Jürgen Klopp held too much sway over transfers by the end of his tenure, and the decision to appoint Slot as head coach rather than manager was designed to limit — though not remove — his influence over squad planning.
While Hughes has significant authority as sporting director, that doesn’t mean the Dutchman’s views should be dismissed outright. If Slot was insistent on keeping Díaz, his stance should have been seriously weighed rather than overridden.
The decision cannot be undone, but Liverpool’s senior figures must learn from what is proving to be a misjudged call and ensure far better alignment when handling crucial transfer decisions going forward.
