Liverpool have benefitted from having strong leadership at sporting director level this summer, with Richard Hughes delivering a superb transfer window.

The Reds’ spend of more than £400m may be yet to bear proper fruit, but there is little doubting Hughes’ work in the role.

The former Portsmouth midfielder had some big shoes to fill at Anfield, having seen the success delivered by Michael Edwards during his six years at the helm.

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Edwards became a superstar at Liverpool after stepping up to sporting director in 2016. After some upheaval following his initial exit in 2022, the Reds are now back with some of the best in the business in charge.

Before Edwards, Liverpool owners FSG had been flailing around to find the right formula. The only previous sporting director they hired had been Damien Comolli, who lasted only four months at Anfield, leaving in March 2011.

The reason Liverpool went more than five years without anyone in the position was not because of a decision by the owners themselves, but rather of one from former manager Brendan Rodgers, who blocked a move to hire legendary Dutch coach Louis van Gaal in 2012.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Although Rodgers...