Richard Hughes' statement signing for Liverpool is now as clear as day | OneFootball

Liverpool's fanbase have been massively let down by the performances of their first-team squad this season.

Most people expected the Reds to put up a decent fight for the title but that couldn't have been further from the truth.

They finished the 2025-26 season in fifth place without a single trophy to their name with Paris Saint-Germain knocking them out of the Champions League once again.

This lack of form has caused fans to demand change at Anfield and, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson both scheduled to leave, change is certainly afoot.

And, now that Ibrahima Konate has also been confirmed to be on his way out of Anfield, the Reds are going to need to make some serious moves to get back to their best.

This is exactly why it feels like Richard Hughes' next statement signing is clearer than ever.

Liverpool must activate Nico Schlotterbeck's release clause as soon as possible

Liverpool may have Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni to choose from next season but, it still feels like they need at least one new centre-back to join the club.

Although Gomez could be a regular starter, his injury history leaves a lot to be desired which would leave Jacquet and Leoni to be Virgil van Dijk's partner.

However, since both have never played a minute of Premier League football and both of them are still in the very early stages of their careers, it's unclear whether they'll be good enough to start alongside Van Dijk from the moment they step through the doors.

This is where Nico Schlotterbeck comes in.

Although the German has only just signed a new deal with Borussia Dortmund, he made sure that a release clause for specific clubs (including Liverpool) was entered into the deal.

What this means is that, although some other clubs from across the world could activate the clause, as long as Liverpool are the first to do it, he could become their player.

The Reds' search for an experienced centre-back could go on for ages and, if they don't take the opportunity to sign Schlotterbeck now, they could massively regret it and end up going into the 2026-27 season without enough back-up.

Signing Nico Schlotterbeck could help Richard Hughes get fans back on their side

Liverpool's fanbase have been rather underwhelmed this season.

Although their first five games of the campaign ended with 15 points to their name, from that point on, it all went downhill.

A lot of the blame for poor performances has been taken by the number of injuries that the club have suffered but, the fact that the club didn't have enough back-up options proves how unprepared they were for the 2025-26 season.

The 2026-27 summer transfer window could help get fans back behind their team, especially if Schlotterbeck is welcomed through the Anfield doors.

Of course, his arrival would mean that Van Dijk may have to change to the right-sided centre-back but, with the German next to him, it feels like this would be worth doing.

Hughes must do everything in his power to get Liverpool's fans back on his side because, if not, it could be curtains.

Nobody knows what Liverpool's team will look like next term but, if they manage to sign Schlotterbeck and some of the other targets they're being linked with, the Reds will be well on their way to adding some more silverware to their cabinet.