By Joseph Agbobli

Liverpool have struggled both on and off the pitch this season.

Despite spending more than £400 million on new signings last summer, the Reds have failed to meet expectations and are now out of the Premier League title race, trailing leaders Arsenal by 14 points after 22 matches. Head coach Arne Slot is under increasing pressure amid the availability of Xabi Alonso.

Alonso left his role as Real Madrid boss by mutual consent following their Spanish Super Cup defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona on January 11, just seven months after succeeding Carlo Ancelotti last summer. Slot enjoyed a dream start at Anfield, winning the Premier League title in his debut season after taking on the daunting task of replacing long-time manager Jurgen Klopp.

This campaign, however, has been far more challenging for the Dutchman, with Liverpool currently sitting fourth in the table. While their league form has dipped, the Reds remain firmly in contention in both the Champions League and FA Cup.

Liverpool extended their unbeaten league run with a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Burnley on Saturday afternoon. The result stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions, but their advantage over their nearest rivals in the race for fourth place has been cut to just one point.  Supporters made their frustration clear as Liverpool were booed off at full-time against the Clarets, fueling speculation over Slot’s future.

However, according to The Athletic, the 47-year-old continues to have the backing of owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG). FSG have no plans to follow rivals Manchester United and Chelsea by making a managerial change this month.  Both Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca were dismissed from their respective posts at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge earlier in January.

Nevertheless, Slot knows he must turn Liverpool’s fortunes around quickly, with a ready-made successor seemingly waiting in the wings. He is not the only figure under scrutiny at Anfield, either. Senior executives Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, both entering the final 18 months of their contracts, are also facing increased pressure.

Supporter frustration has been compounded by Liverpool missing out on winter transfer targets Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, who both joined Manchester City. With both players strongly linked to moves to Anfield, fans have expressed disappointment at Edwards and Hughes as questions continue to be asked about the club’s direction.

How Edward and Hughes' relationship came about?

Richard Hughes was confirmed as Liverpool’s new sporting director in March 2025 and officially began his role in June. He joined the club from fellow Premier League side Bournemouth, where he most recently served as technical director. Hughes was the first appointment made by Michael Edwards after he was named Fenway Sports Group’s (FSG) CEO of Football.

Edwards returned to work for FSG earlier in 2025 after leaving Liverpool in 2022, bringing an end to a 10-year spell at Anfield that included six years as sporting director. It was Edwards who pushed for Liverpool to move for Hughes upon his return to the club.  The pair share a professional and personal relationship spanning more than two decades, having previously worked together during Hughes’s playing career at Portsmouth.

At the time, Edwards was the south coast club’s head analyst under then-manager Harry Redknapp.

Why Hughes was Edwards’ man for Liverpool

Edwards and Hughes first crossed paths at Portsmouth in the mid-2000s, with Edwards working as a performance analyst and Hughes a midfielder at the beginning of what would become a 16-year playing career.  That long-standing relationship, and the mutual respect they share, helped Liverpool secure their 20th league title last season as the club began life without their German talisman, Jurgen Klopp.  The pair also oversaw the appointment of Arne Slot, who surpassed expectations in his debut campaign at Anfield.

How the relationship will impact the club moving forward

Edwards, meanwhile, has had input in those matters but has primarily focused on developments off the pitch, including the planned redevelopment of Liverpool’s academy base alongside technical director Julian Ward.  FSG are expected to push forward with the current boardroom structure in place, with the intention of adding further clubs to their portfolio.

However, there remains the possibility of interest from other parties. Edwards has previously been linked with roles in Saudi Arabia, although Al-Hilal’s approach was rejected last summer. Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes’ long-standing relationship is currently spearheading Liverpool’s new era under FSG. Only time will tell how far the club can go after a challenging season so far.