Liverpool making same old mistakes in transfer market, how long is this going to continue?

Richard Hughes faces a challenging role as Liverpool’s sporting director, with extensive responsibilities that include negotiating key contracts, supporting new manager Arne Slot, and improving the club’s effectiveness in the transfer market.

**Key Contract Negotiations:** One of Hughes’ primary tasks is to secure contract renewals for crucial players such as Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah. These negotiations are vital to maintaining the core strength and stability of the squad.

**Squad Building:** Hughes must also help Slot assemble a squad capable of competing at the highest level. This involves strategic acquisitions to enhance squad depth and quality, ensuring Liverpool can contend in various competitions.

**Player Sales:** A significant challenge is improving Liverpool’s efficiency in selling players, an area where the club has struggled in recent years. During Michael Edwards’ tenure, Liverpool excelled in the transfer market, particularly in selling squad players at good prices. However, this strength has waned, and Liverpool has found it difficult to offload players at profitable rates.

For instance, Nathaniel Phillips and Caoimhin Kelleher have been priced out of potential moves due to high valuations. Liverpool rejected a £4 million bid for Phillips and set a £25 million valuation for Kelleher, deterring interested clubs. Similarly, Sepp Van Den Berg’s £20 million valuation has discouraged clubs like Mainz and PSV Eindhoven from making serious bids.

**Market Strategy:** Liverpool’s firm stance in the transfer market demonstrates a refusal to sell players for less than their perceived value, but this approach has drawbacks. When not in a strong negotiating position, the club risks missing out on opportunities to streamline the squad and generate funds for new signings. For example, Van Den Berg, who joined for £1.3 million and impressed in the Bundesliga, could be sold for over £10 million if not integrated into the first team next season. This mirrors Nathaniel Phillips’ situation, whose market value has dropped from a potential £20 million to £8 million due to limited playtime.

**Comparison to Other Deals:** The case of Caoimhin Kelleher highlights the impact of a lack of regular playing time on market value. Liverpool might use James Trafford’s £19 million move from Manchester City to Burnley as a benchmark for Kelleher’s valuation, though Kelleher’s value diminishes without consistent appearances.

In summary, Richard Hughes must balance contract negotiations, squad building, and player sales effectively. Addressing Liverpool’s recent transfer market struggles is crucial for the club’s future success, and Hughes’ management in these areas will play a key role in Liverpool’s performance in the upcoming seasons.