Report: Richard Hughes went to watch match involving 'one of England's brightest young prospects' last week

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Liverpool’s early season form has given evidence that they were right to stay quiet during the summer transfer window.

The Reds brought in only two players throughout the summer months, ignoring calls to sign a new midfielder after missing out on Martin Zubimendi.

Although that was disappointing for supporters, the decision has allowed Ryan Gravenberch to shine as a starter for Arne Slot.

Had Zubimendi been signed Gravenberch would have been demoted, left to sit on the bench as the new man waltzed into the starting XI.

But while Liverpool have gotten away with the lack of spending so far, there is a feeling that Richard Hughes needs to do more in the market over the coming two windows.

With that in mind, fans will hope that Hughes is already doing his homework. And as it turns out, Liverpool’s sporting director has been spotted taking in a Premier League match.

Richard Hughes heads back to watch Bournemouth

Despite his lack of action at Liverpool, there were recent claims that Hughes’s work at Anfield has been praised by other, rival sporting directors.

From a Reds’ point of view, this is more than a little baffling. Although Hughes did good work to get Federico Chiesa in for such a low fee, there was so much left that the 45-year-old did not get sorted.

Part of that is the ongoing contract situations of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

And while Liverpool supporters wait for updates regarding the trio, The Daily Mail report that Hughes has been back visiting his old club, Bournemouth, to watch them in action against Southampton on Monday.

READ MORE: What Richard Hughes was spotted doing in Milan before Liverpool’s Champions League game

There really is no good reason for Hughes to be back at Dean Court unless it’s to do with negotiations over signing a player from the Cherries.

As a result, perhaps he’s looking at someone like Milos Kerkez or Antoine Semenyo, who are in good form. The Mail report that both are ’emerging as targets’ for several top division sides.

Or, maybe Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling caught Hughes’ eye. The 18-year-old is described as ‘one of England’s brightest young prospects’ and may have been the focus of the Liverpool sporting director as he sat in the directors box.

Richard Hughes should focus on Liverpool

There is another possible explanation as to why Hughes was back at Bournemouth at the start of the week.

Maybe the former Portsmouth midfielder simply wanted to come and spend some time with his old club watching them in a big game. Like we say, though, that is not a good reason for Hughes to be back.

While he may have impressed certain people with his work at Anfield so far, we have not been part of that group. Not at all. He needs to show more tangible signs that he is the right man for the job.

There is plenty of work to be done behind the scenes at Liverpool right now and – in our opinion – if Hughes is not at Bournemouth to watch potential new signings then he shouldn’t be there at all.

Maybe some more details will eventually emerge from the Scotsman’s trip back down South. In the meantime, though, we’re remaining a little sceptical.