Richard Hughes has already signed Morgan Rogers

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is no stranger to Morgan Rogers’ talents, having first brought the forward to the south coast in the summer of 2021 when he engineered a loan move from Manchester City to Bournemouth. That earlier deal, struck while Rogers was fresh from a prolific League One spell at Lincoln City, underlined Hughes’ long-standing belief in the player’s potential. Although the anticipated breakthrough on the south coast never materialised—Rogers managed just one league start amid fierce competition for places—Hughes’ conviction in the attacker has never wavered.

Now, with Liverpool searching for dynamic reinforcements, the 23-year-old England international has emerged as a prime target who ticks every box on Hughes’ checklist. Standing over six feet tall, Rogers is a powerful transitional runner, comfortable carrying the ball across long distances and breaking defensive lines with direct, high-tempo surges. Those qualities address a current gap in Arne Slot’s squad, where the ability to explode from midfield into attack has been in short supply.

Versatility adds further appeal. Rogers has featured on either wing, as an advanced playmaker and even in a central striker-support role, offering Slot multiple solutions within a single signing. At 23, he sits at the intersection of experience and untapped upside, aligning perfectly with the age profile Hughes is targeting as he reshapes the Anfield squad.

Crucially, the rapport between Hughes and Rogers is already established. Their shared history could streamline negotiations and accelerate integration into Liverpool’s dressing room, where the forward’s blend of physicality, tactical flexibility and Premier League pedigree is viewed as an ideal fit for a club chasing honours on multiple fronts.