Arne Slot and Richard Hughes reportedly clashed heavily over a key Liverpool player.

 

 

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was reportedly locked in a heated internal dispute with sporting director Richard Hughes last summer over the future of teenage winger Rio Ngumoha.

Slot, who replaced Jürgen Klopp in 2024, made history by becoming the first Dutch manager to win the Premier League in his debut season at Anfield, and only the fifth manager overall to do so. However, the 2025/26 campaign has unfolded very differently, with Liverpool currently sitting fourth after 20 league matches.

This downturn has come despite an eye-catching summer transfer window that saw the Reds splash out on high-profile signings such as Alexander Isak from Newcastle United and Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. Falling from title contenders into a battle for Champions League qualification was never part of the plan, and reports suggest the decline may stem from serious behind-the-scenes tensions between Slot and the club’s hierarchy.

According to Anfield Watch, problems at Liverpool extend well beyond on-field performances. Slot, widely viewed as one of the elite coaches in world football, is said to have sparked major internal unrest over the club’s transfer strategy.

The report claims Slot wanted reinforcements on the left wing following Luis Díaz’s move to Bayern Munich. However, in what has been described as a “heated clash,” Hughes stood firm and rejected the request. Instead, the sporting director insisted that 17-year-old Ngumoha deserved opportunities with the first team after an impressive pre-season, where he recorded five goal contributions in five appearances.

Hughes also pushed for fellow youngster Trey Nyoni to be trusted at senior level, having similarly impressed in pre-season. While Klopp was known for rewarding young players with first-team chances after strong summer showings, Slot reportedly does not share that philosophy. Following Díaz’s departure, the Dutchman allegedly wanted Ngumoha sent out on loan.

Rather than keeping the highly rated teenager, Slot viewed Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola as the ideal replacement and was prepared to loan Ngumoha out to facilitate a move for the French winger. This stance has remained a major point of friction between Slot and Liverpool’s leadership.

Club executives have made it clear they expect a defined pathway from the academy into the first team, but Slot is said to prioritise players capable of making an instant impact. He reportedly has little interest in developing academy prospects himself.

Anfield Watch also notes that Liverpool have taken steps behind the scenes to encourage Slot to engage more with youth development. These efforts have included synchronising under-21 training sessions with the senior squad and organising an academy showcase specifically aimed at showcasing young talent to Slot and his coaching team. Although first-team staff attended, Slot himself did not.

Additionally, the club appointed Brazilian coach Luiz Fernando Iubel during the summer, partly to offset Slot’s reluctance to work closely with young players. Iubel’s current focus is on individual development within the academy setup.

Hughes and FSG’s Chief Executive of Football, Michael Edwards, believe that true success at Liverpool involves not only winning trophies but also integrating academy graduates into the first team. Whether Slot, now 47, will continue in the dugout amid these ongoing tensions remains uncertain.