Liverpool lose sporting director Hughes and two more staff to Al-Hilal as Ndukwe concern grows

Liverpool are navigating significant off-field disruption after sporting director Richard Hughes departed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, with recruitment director Mark Burchill and director of scouting Craig McKee following him out of Anfield.

Al-Hilal confirmed all three appointments on Sunday, a day after it became public that Hughes would be stepping down. Hughes had joined Liverpool from Bournemouth two seasons ago, bringing Burchill and McKee with him in the summer of 2024. The pair had worked alongside chief scout Barry Hunter, overseeing the club’s transfer business across the 2025 and 2026 windows.

In a statement, Al-Hilal said the appointments were “part of Al-Hilal’s efforts to strengthen its football system and develop its sporting structure with specialised expertise,” adding that the trio would contribute to “developing recruitment and scouting processes” across the club.

Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon is now leading the search for a new sporting director, leaving Liverpool with a notable gap in their recruitment structure at a critical point in the season.

The front-office upheaval comes as manager Andoni Iraola recorded his first Premier League win in charge, a confident victory over Ipswich Town in which Alexander Isak scored twice. Iraola, who had drawn his opening two league games, now turns his attention to his first Champions League fixture as Liverpool boss.

Adding to the club’s concerns is the situation surrounding 18-year-old defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who joined Levante on loan in the summer transfer window to gain first-team experience and work towards international eligibility. The teenager has yet to make an appearance for the La Liga side, raising early questions about the value of the loan spell.