There’s a bit of revisionism creeping in around Liverpool’s recruitment, and I can’t be doing with it. Over the summer, plenty were practically demanding apologies for ever questioning Hughes, armed with smug little “told you so” posts because a few big names came in. That shine has worn off now, hasn’t it?
It’s not exactly funny, because it affects the side and it affects the season. But it is hard not to notice how quickly the tone changes once the deals aren’t straightforward. When a player already wants Anfield and the path is clear, it’s all chest out and victory laps. When effort is required, when there’s resistance, when you need proper negotiation and proper planning, that’s when the cracks show.
Easy deals aren’t the real test
The way I see it, Hughes has been judged on the most flattering sample possible. Signing players who are keen on Liverpool isn’t the same as solving the squad’s biggest issues. It’s the hard work that defines you: identifying what the team needs, moving early, taking a few hits in negotiation and still getting it done.
Instead, it’s felt like we’ve too often ended up with the players who were easiest to land, not necessarily the ones we actually needed most. And when money talks or the selling club digs its heels in, we don’t look like a club with a clear plan and sharp operators. We look like we’re hoping it all falls our way.
The centre-back problem didn’t start yesterday
The most frustrating part is that the obvious needs haven’t been subtle. We were crying out for another centre-back then, and it still feels like we’re in the same place now. That’s not hindsight, that’s just watching the squad and seeing the risk. Depth at centre-half is one of those issues you solve before it becomes a crisis, not after.
And yes, I’ll acknowledge the late-summer Guehi situation wasn’t all on Hughes. But if you know something is likely to be difficult at the end of a window, you use the months afterwards to prepare, to line up alternatives, to make January a continuation rather than a panic. That’s the job.
If the manager goes, accountability can’t stop there
People always jump straight to the manager because it’s the obvious lever to pull. But if Arne Slot is ever shown the door, there has to be serious scrutiny above him too. If the recruitment side keeps its seat while the head coach takes the fall, what’s the lesson learned?
Truth is, I’d be worried if Liverpool changed the manager and kept the same people making the key squad decisions. Same goes for Edwards. You can’t keep pretending it’s all fine because some deals were convenient. The difficult bits are where you earn your wage.
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