Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes CONCERNS fans with 'opportunistic' transfer remark

Liverpool fans have been left slightly concerned by sporting director Richard Hughes' first media appearance after he admitted that the Reds may be 'opportunistic' in the transfer market. 

New head coach Arne Slot and new sporting director Hughes attended their first press conference in Liverpool colours on Friday morning, where they were asked half-an-hour worth of questions about their appointments and the club's immediate future.

Understandably, a recurring theme was the transfer market, which opened in mid-June and will run until the end of August.

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Liverpool have not been particularly active in the market and are not expected to make significant changes to the squad already present at Anfield. However, there are hopes that a new centre-back, defensive midfielder and/or winger could be added.

But Hughes has somewhat poured cold water on those hopes during his first address to Liverpool supporters.

RICHARD HUGHES MAKES 'OPPORTUNISTIC' LIVERPOOL CLAIM

Speaking to reporters about Liverpool's upcoming transfer business and where the squad needs to improve, Hughes offered a cautious response.

"We need to improve, and we need to improve on the training pitch first and foremost. But with the window open we will always look to be opportunistic," said Hughes.

When quizzed about whether it would be a quiet summer across the market, Hughes stated: "It's hard to say and speak industry-wide.

"Naturally [it's quieter], when there are major competitions during the summer, a World Cup or a European Championships, in this case it's the Copa America and the Olympics as well, so there's a lot of football being played.

"Naturally, the attention is going to be there, and I think after the flurry [of transfers] that there was in June, it will calm down a little bit now. That would be my prediction for the month of July.

"Then, like always, when August starts and coaches have had more time to work with players, I think then the opinions will be more set, and then you may see a situation in August like in previous seasons where there is a little bit of a hurry to get things done."

Supporters would have hoped for some more ambitious responses to questions about summer recruitment, but Liverpool have always been a club keen to keep their cards close to their chests.

After Slot has assessed his full squad during pre-season, the Reds may feel the need to dip into the market.

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