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Liverpool Moves for Palestra and Mendes Reveal Richard Hughes Transfer Plan

Transfer windows are generally remembered for what happened. There is, though, another version of recruitment history, one constructed from the deals that were considered, explored and eventually abandoned.

In Richard Hughes’ case at Liverpool, that alternative history contains two particularly intriguing names: Marco Palestra and Nuno Mendes.

The Athletic’s detailed examination of Hughes’ tenure revealed that Liverpool explored moves for both players at different stages. Neither arrived at Anfield, yet both provide an insight into what Hughes believed Liverpool required and, perhaps more importantly, what the club were unable to deliver.

Marco Palestra Interest Points to Liverpool Right Back Concern

Liverpool’s interest in Palestra emerged this summer.

According to The Athletic, Hughes explored whether Liverpool could challenge Chelsea for the Atalanta player, but their ability to proceed was restricted by the requirement to strengthen elsewhere and difficulties raising money through fringe player sales.

Photo: IMAGO

That is revealing.

Liverpool had already spent £30million on Jeremie Frimpong the previous summer. The intention behind that deal had been reasonably clear. Frimpong could provide competition at right back while also offering an option further forward.

It has not worked particularly well so far.

The Athletic reports that Frimpong has “struggled in both positions”, while Liverpool ultimately hope Conor Bradley can recover from injury and establish himself as the club’s long term right back.

Palestra’s presence on Liverpool’s radar therefore matters.

Recruitment departments routinely assess players without making bids, of course. Interest does not automatically constitute dissatisfaction with an existing player. Yet Liverpool exploring another right sided option so soon after signing Frimpong suggests the position remained under consideration.

Hughes seemingly recognised that too.

Nuno Mendes Was Liverpool’s Preferred Left Back Target

Perhaps even more fascinating is the revelation concerning Nuno Mendes.

Milos Kerkez became one of the defining signings of Liverpool’s enormous 2025 recruitment drive. His previous relationship with Hughes made the transfer feel logical. Hughes had already signed Kerkez for Bournemouth from AZ in 2023.

It would have been easy, consequently, to assume Kerkez was always Liverpool’s primary choice.

According to The Athletic, he was not.

Liverpool initially wanted Paris Saint Germain left back Mendes. The Portugal international was considered a realistic possibility before signing a new contract with PSG in February 2025. Only after that avenue disappeared did Liverpool eventually move for Kerkez.

That detail changes the complexion of the transfer slightly.

Kerkez was signed as a young player possessing the “skillset and character to improve”, according to The Athletic, but he has come under increasing pressure following a difficult first campaign at Liverpool.

Knowing Mendes had been the original target illustrates the level Liverpool were initially contemplating for the position.

Missed Targets Offer Clues About Hughes’ Liverpool Blueprint

There is always danger in becoming overly fascinated by players a club did not sign.

Every major recruitment department maintains extensive lists. Every sporting director conducts conversations that lead nowhere. Football would look very different if every tentative approach became a transfer.

Still, Mendes and Palestra feel relevant because Liverpool continue to have questions surrounding their full back positions.

Trent Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson were enormous figures in the previous Liverpool side. Replacing players of that significance was always going to require more than identifying somebody who occupied the same patch of grass.

Liverpool attempted to plan ahead.

Frimpong arrived with flexibility in mind. Kerkez arrived with considerable potential. Yet The Athletic’s reporting indicates that Hughes had considered different solutions in both positions.

Mendes represented an established elite option on the left.

Palestra represented another possibility on the right.

Neither became a Liverpool player.

Richard Hughes Legacy Contains Transfers Liverpool Never Made

Hughes’ Liverpool record will inevitably be judged primarily on those he actually signed.

Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Frimpong and Kerkez formed the expensive core of the 2025 rebuild. Bradley Barcola, Jeremie Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo followed this summer. The results of that reconstruction remain uncertain.

Yet the unsuccessful pursuits provide valuable context.

Mendes shows Liverpool were willing to investigate an elite solution before settling upon a younger developmental option.

Palestra shows that, even after Frimpong had arrived, Liverpool remained interested in strengthening the right side.

Therein lies something significant about Hughes’ tenure.

Liverpool’s recruitment problems were not necessarily caused by an inability to identify suitable footballers. Antoine Semenyo provides another example, with Hughes having recommended his signing before Manchester City eventually secured him.

Identification is only one part of recruitment.

Timing, budgets, sales, contracts and priorities determine whether those ideas become reality.

Hughes leaves Liverpool with an unfinished squad and a collection of expensive transfers still awaiting definitive judgement. Somewhere alongside them sits an imaginary Liverpool team containing Mendes and Palestra.

It never existed.

But understanding why Hughes wanted those players tells us a little more about the Liverpool side he was trying to build.