There are few high-profile jobs in football that continue to possess greater mystique than that of sporting director. For a player, manager or the majority of the backroom and coaching staff, contributions are judged on an almost twice-weekly basis with results and performances on the pitch.

Sporting directors, though, are assessed using a different criteria: transfer dealings and contract agreements the value of which can often takes years to emerge. And with Richard Hughes having had comparatively little movement in either sphere since assuming the role at Liverpool last year, questions are being asked by some supporters over the impact made by the incumbent.

Much of his business is being enacted away from the glare of the spotlight. Negotiations over new deals - the priority being those for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are all poised to become free agents in the summer - can be lengthy and difficult, while scouting, determining and then signing new players can often take months of planning. Sales can be a similarly time-consuming process.

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Hughes, however, has credit in the bank by leading the search for a new manager to replace Jurgen Klopp and landing on Arne Slot, who has proven such an outstanding success during the first six months of his Anfield tenure.

And Liverpool fans will this weekend be given a clear reminder of why the sporting director - whose previous working relationship with Fenway Sports Group's chief executive of football Michael Edwards was a factor behind his appointment - has long been regarded highly in the game's circles.

Slot's side face another tough test in their pursuit of the Premier League title when they travel on Saturday to in-form Bournemouth, the club where Hughes forged his reputation in identifying and recruiting talent.

A former midfielder with both the Cherries and neighbours Portsmouth, he was appointed to the recruitment team under then-manager Eddie Howe after his retirement in 2014, eventually being elevated to the position of technical director.

And it was under the guidance of Hughes that the core of the current Bournemouth squad that has so impressed this season was brought together, with an onus on younger players with the ability to increase both in quality and value - very much an echo of the long-established Liverpool model under FSG.

One such purchase was left-back Milos Kerkez for around £15million from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023. Still only 21, the performances of the Hungary international have prompted interest from a number of potential suitors. With Liverpool poised to re-evaluate their squad options in the position during the summer, Kerkez is a name under consideration.

Plus. of course, it was Hughes who was influential in persuading Bournemouth to appoint the previously-unheralded Andoni Iraola as manager in succession to the sacked Gary O'Neil, a decision that has been reaping significant rewards this season as evidenced by Iraola being linked to several high-profile jobs of late, most notably the Tottenham Hotspur role where doubts surround the future of Ange Postecoglu.

Under Iraola, Bournemouth are now unbeaten in 12 games and have thrashed Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest in their last two outings to move just a point off the Champions League qualification berths alongside Chelsea.

And that success is being forged on the strong foundations Hughes helped construct. Liverpool will hope it is a positive sign of what it to come as their squad prepares to further evolve under Slot this summer.