Richard Hughes faces scrutiny over Ollie Watkins' £50m move to Al-Hilal

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is facing scrutiny following reports that he orchestrated the £50m transfer of England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa to the Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

While Hughes is currently under contract with Liverpool, reports suggest he may be preparing for a future role at Al-Hilal once his current term expires next year. The move for Watkins has drawn criticism from supporters, as the club's summer transfer activity has been perceived as limited, with only two first-team additions completed since the end of last season.

In addition to the Watkins reports, there is ongoing debate regarding Liverpool's recruitment strategy and the impact of recent signings, such as Bradley Barcola, as the club attempts to address squad depth and competition within the Premier League.