FSG face 'question marks' behind the scenes at Liverpool as Richard Hughes exit edges closer

FSG are facing "question marks" regarding the level of "stability" at Liverpool, with sporting director Richard Hughes in advanced talks to move to Al-Hilal.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the timing of the imminent departure is "very strange."

Hughes is believed to have played a key role in the appointment of Andoni Iroala, after he was previously a key player in the Spaniard's move to Bournemouth.

Wyness has questioned whether the Reds will get "100 per cent" of Hughes' attention in the coming weeks, as his move to Saudi Arabia edges closer.

The 46-year-old is expected to be allowed to take charge of the upcoming transfer window at Anfield before moving to the Middle East.

Wyness is clear that the whole situation leaves more questions than answers regarding the state of the Liverpool hierarchy.

Richard Hughes set for 'tricky' balancing act at Liverpool

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Hughes is facing a difficult situation this summer, as he will have one eye away from Liverpool.

The Scottish businessman believes that his impending move to Saudi Arabia is part of a new plan from Pro League teams to target leading sporting directors.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness emphasised that this leaves Liverpool and FSG in an awkward position.

"I think Liverpool have had four or five sporting directors in the last four years. It's been quite strange, and that's not really the stability that a club like them would be looking for," he said.

"Obviously, Hughes knew Iraola from his time at Bournemouth before he came to Liverpool, and he was also perhaps responsible for giving Mohamed Salah that big contract that hasn't worked out for him.

"The problems in the window last summer could have lain at Richard Hughes' door as well as Arne Slot's. It does seem strange that there's talk about him staying through this window and then going to Al-Hilal.

"To try and focus on the window where you've got that in the back of your mind is tricky. You can't help it as a human being, to start spending part of your time focusing on that job and learning about the environment you're going to go into.

"And so, are Liverpool going to be getting 100 per cent of his attention and time? There are certainly some question marks. The stability in this position is not great for Liverpool.

"I know the Saudi league well, and I think their focus is now on bringing in high-quality sporting directors. They're realising that high-quality recruitment is important."

Liverpool ready to act on three-man signing plan

Football Insider revealed at the start of June that Liverpool's three biggest transfer priorities won't change now that Iraola is in charge.

The Reds have a new left-back, a holding midfielder and a right-sided winger on their shopping list, and Iroala has already met with the recruitment team over those plans.

As things stand, there are currently no plans for the Merseysiders to target any of the stars that Iraola coached at Bournemouth.

Hughes and Co. have already begun working to nail down the club's top targets, as they aim to mount a title challenge next term.