by Darwin Nunez is struggling for Liverpool. The attack is in the spotlight after a run of six games without a goal as Jurgen Klopp’s side look to challenge for the Premier League title.
Nunez has 18 goals and 13 assists in 52 games this season, a significant improvement on 15 goals and four assists in 42 games last campaign. However, the Uruguayan has frustrated fans with his finishing recently and his place in the Reds’ starting line-up is under serious threat as a result.
He has started just one of Liverpool’s past three games and recently deleted any photos of him in action for the club on his Instagram profile. That has fueled speculation about Nunez’s future and what the future holds for the 24-year-old, signed from Benfica for £64million in 2022.
Here, the LiverpoolECHO’s sports writers have their thoughts on Nunez and what could be next for the Uruguay international…
READ MORE: Liverpool face clear change as Alisson admits ‘serious injury’
READ MORE: Emre Can sends clear message to Liverpool after reaching Champions League final
Keifer Macdonald
Your opinion of Darwin Nunez will depend on whether you believe the glass is half full or half empty.
Indeed, a second season at Anfield has been a huge improvement for the Uruguayan, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions and provided a further 13 assists. Sure, there have been great moments – look at his match-winner against Newcastle United in August or his stunning effort against Bournemouth in the League Cup in November – but there have also been some terrible things along the way. Plenty of them too.
And when the dust settles on Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield, Nunez’s defeats against Luton Town, Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Everton will be scrutinized as moments that could have tipped the pendulum in Liverpool’s favour.
But football doesn’t work like that and instead, Nunez will enter his third season as a Red with the bit between his teeth and ready to take on the challenge of being Arne Slott’s first choice No.9 at Anfield.
Realistically, Liverpool would have little to do to cut ties with the Uruguayan after successfully negotiating such potentially tough moves during his first two a year on Merseyside. But this summer Nunez will lose his greatest ally in Klopp and, therefore, none of his previous guarantees will count.
The only way Nunez can guarantee his future is to take his chances.
Amy Wilson
Darwin Nunez hasn’t scored the number of goals he should have in a Liverpool shirt since he moved from Benfica in the summer of 2022. It was as much as you’d expect from any Premier League striker, let alone one who defends his a total of £64m to be disposed of.
But it may be too early to give up on the Uruguayan just yet, at 24 he is coming into his prime, and it may take one lucky goal to boost his confidence and see him at go on a goal scoring run. Perhaps the arrival of Arne Slot as manager in the summer will help the striker with a fresh perspective on the situation, despite the departure of Jurgen Klopp who kept faith in him.
Nunez’s social media activity doesn’t exactly help the situation, it only adds to the spotlight and scrutiny that surrounds him. Given that they would struggle to come close to the fee they paid for him just two years ago, Liverpool may be better off hoping he can turn his career around at Anfield.
Jack Flintham
Although Nunez will be the first to admit that this season has not been as good as expected, the Uruguayan is still showing why Jurgen Klopp bought him. A tally of 18 goals across all competitions is small to say the least.
But for me, it shows that there is enough for Arne Slot and Co to work. with him in the pre-season and that it justifies him keeping him at the football club. There is a danger that they will fall into the trap that some other clubs in the Premier League have found themselves in and that they will have a big change of players after a few seasons when they have not yet made the grade.
He has already managed to get his tally from last campaign and perhaps buying another striker in the summer would help ease the pressure on his shoulders. Perhaps targeting Victor Osimhen in the transfer window would take the focus off Nunez helping him continue to adapt to the top flight.
Kieran Horn
Darwin Nunez rarely has a quiet game and that was very evident from his start at Anfield when he was forced out of Joachim Andersen’s starting line-up.
He is a chaotic Liverpool agent and it is better to have a player like him in your squad. While Jurgen Klopp’s departure is likely to affect Nunez, selling him should not be a priority for new manager Arne Slott.
The Uruguay international is unlikely to realize his true potential under the Dutchman, but if he continues to show signs of trouble it may be worth reconsidering. Despite often frustrating Liverpool fans with his lack of leadership in front of goal, Nunez has still scored 18 goals this season.
So, his stock hasn’t fallen too much and Liverpool can reassess his future this time next year, but in the meantime, he’s well worth keeping.
