Liverpool handed major boost on the eve of summer transfer window with club chief set to STAY at Anfield - despite strong interest from Saudi Arabia

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is to continue at the club this summer despite interest from Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

The 46-year-old is continuing to plan for the transfer window as Liverpool look to add three or four new players to revamp their squad.

Hughes and chief executive of football Michael Edwards are under contract until next summer and may yet see that date as a more natural break point, depending how the next 14 months unfold.

Admiration for the duo remains from Saudi Arabia and elsewhere but sources at Liverpool say they received no official approach from Al Hilal in recent months despite the interest.

Hughes and Edwards have overseen £459m in spending since 2024, the majority coming last summer with the signings of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Giovanni Leoni.

They have also recouped £290m selling the likes of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Ben Gannon Doak, Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool face another crucial stage of redevelopment with Mo Salah and Andy Robertson both leaving this summer while others such as Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott could also depart.

Question marks remain over manager Arne Slot's future following a trophy-less season and disappointing performances though he has been involved in the planning process for this summer's recruitment.

Liverpool confirmed that Hugo Ekitike will also be out for months after rupturing an Achilles in Tuesday's defeat to Paris St Germain.

'Ekitike will therefore be sidelined for the remaining weeks of the club season and unable to participate at this summer's World Cup with France,' a statement read.

Ekitike has scored 19 goals for Liverpool and France this season after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m last summer.

His injury comes at a crucial time as Liverpool aim to secure a place in next season's Champions League. They sit fifth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and four points ahead of Chelsea.

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