Richard Hughes in FSG 'fall-out' before quitting Liverpool - Merseyside Insider
Richard Hughes shared a difference of opinion and "dissatisfaction" with Liverpool's FSG ownership before his recent decision to depart Anfield.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that there was something of a rift between the two parties.
This comes after Hughes' departure to from Liverpool was finally confirmed, despite his move to join Al-Hilal having been in the pipeline for several months.
Wyness believes that the sporting director was effectively "poached" by the Saudi Arabian outfit, but also acknowledged that there must have been a disagreement for Hughes to agree to the move.
The 47-year-old saw out the final stages of the summer transfer window with the Merseysiders before stepping away, in a move that has raised plenty of eyebrows.
Bradley Barcola was the headline signing of a window that saw the Reds bring in seven new faces, while a further five headed in the opposite direction on permanent deals.
Richard Hughes exit leaves lasting concerns
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' decision to see out the summer transfer window will leave lasting concerns behind the scenes at Liverpool.
The Scottish businessman questioned whether the recruitment lead was likely to be working to his maximum ability, or whether he instead focused on ensuring that the club merely endured a steady window.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained some of the questions that Hughes is likely to have left behind.
"You've got to call it what it is. I think he (Hughes) has been poached really. And there's obviously some dissatisfaction between him and FSG as well, some kind of fall-out," he said.
"He wouldn't have jumped otherwise. I mean, it's one of the top jobs in football to do what he was doing at Liverpool, and there's money available. So, this was a good job to leave, and I'm surprised he's done it.
"He's been a lame duck basically because this has been announced way ahead of time for Al-Hilal. Everybody knew he was going, but they said he'd leave at the end of the window, and he has seen the window through.
"But you always feel that is somebody's heart really in it when they know they're gonna be going to another club? What are they actually thinking about fully? Are they thinking two or three seasons ahead with their new owners and the new club they're going to be working in?
"Are they really working in the best interest of Liverpool, or do they just want to leave things tidy and all wrapped up rather than trying to excel? So all those question marks always crop up."
Liverpool set sights on Rayan
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Liverpool are set to pay close attention to the performances of Bournemouth winger Rayan this season.
The Reds are clear admirers of the Brazilian winger, who notched seven goal contributions from just 15 games after joining the Cherries in January last term.
Andoni Iraola is a "big fan" of the young wideman, and is likely to hold the key to Liverpool's chances of completing a deal within the next 12 months.
The 20-year-old has already established himself as one of the Premier League's brightest young talents, and Liverpool are keen to secure him long-term.