Misses, Fall-outs And Late Goals: Darwin Núñez’s Liverpool Ride Was Eventful One | Andy Hunter

It started pinch a goal to clinch nan Community Shield against Manchester City connected his Liverpool debut and a red paper for a head-butt connected his Anfield debut. There were glaring misses, falling-outs and immoderate telling contributions successful between, earlier it ended pinch Liverpool taking a uncommon financial deed connected a one-time nine grounds signing. Darwin Núñez ne'er reached nan heights Jürgen Klopp predicted he would, but it was an eventful three-year thrust that ensures nan striker is poised to depart successful nan affections of galore astatine Liverpool.

Klopp led nan signing of Núñez earlier and particularly aft his 2 appearances for Benfica against Liverpool successful nan 2021-22 Champions League. But he was not nan only Liverpool head to beryllium sold connected nan Uruguay international’s talents, go disappointment by attempts to accommodate nan guardant and yet sideline him. Arne Slot followed an identical way pinch nan mercurial 26-year-old.

Núñez was retired of favour agelong earlier Klopp near Anfield successful May 2024, starting conscionable 1 of nan erstwhile Liverpool manager’s past 7 games and cutting a disillusioned fig throughout. There was talk of Liverpool cutting their losses 12 months ago.

Instead, 1 of Slots first acts arsenic Liverpool caput coach was to person a video telephone pinch Núñez while he was connected Copa América work pinch Uruguay. The striker was flourishing nether Marcelo Bielsa and Slot hoped he could besides unlock nan player’s explosive qualities connected a much accordant basis. Getting to activity connected Núñez’s vulnerable confidence, Slot outlined really nan guardant would beryllium cardinal to his plans – virtually – operating arsenic Liverpool’s No 9 and not retired connected nan left, wherever he was sometimes deployed by Klopp.

Six months later, if not before, and Liverpool’s caput coach had reached nan aforesaid conclusions arsenic his predecessor. It was not a elemental lawsuit of Núñez’s erratic finishing driving Slot to distraction and falling short of nan standards of a squad chasing nan Premier League and Champions League titles, though nan second constituent is undoubtedly true. It was also, arsenic Slot was happy to outline successful public, a mobility of style. The mentation he offered successful January provides an penetration into what Liverpool person sought to reside and will proceed to do truthful successful this transportation window, pinch a replacement for Núñez wanted and a £110m connection for Alexander Isak remaining connected Newcastle’s table. Slot wants much elasticity and Núñez was not capable to supply it.

“Darwin is simply a striker we person to usage successful a definite way,” said Slot, “and we were not capable yet to bring nan champion retired of him this season. He has a batch of gait but, unluckily for him, astir teams beryllium backmost a batch against us. We are still moving connected getting him successful nan champion imaginable positions against a debased block. That involves nan correct timings, nan correct crosses, nan correct position to commencement from and making nan correct run.”

The Liverpool caput coach, Arne Slot (right), criticised Núñez’s activity complaint successful February but location has been nary faulting nan forward’s effort successful pre-season. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

Twenty-four hours aft Slot’s admission, Núñez came disconnected nan chair to people 2 stoppage clip goals successful a 2-0 triumph astatine Brentford that gave Liverpool their first convention triumph of 2025. After a faltering commencement to nan almanac year, it was an important measurement connected nan roadworthy to nan club’s 20th convention title. An outrageous chipped decorativeness successful nan corresponding fixture nan play earlier was different reminder of his ability. But it was not showcased consistently enough. After nan double astatine Brentford location would beryllium only 1 much extremity from Núñez successful his last 20 appearances for Liverpool, nan equaliser that turned nan tide against bottom-of-the-table Southampton. He could besides person been sent disconnected successful that game.

Núñez’s injury-time rescue enactment against Brentford and Slot’s honorable appraisal of nan striker’s problems came successful nan aforesaid period nan striker pushed to time off Liverpool. He and his representatives wanted Liverpool to judge a £60m connection from Al-Nassr, not cull it arsenic nan nine prioritised winning nan Premier League complete cashing in. The aforesaid connection was relayed to Liverpool this summer.

Slot criticised Núñez’s activity complaint – a cardinal facet successful retaining nan goodwill of galore Liverpool supporters – against Wolves and Aston Villa successful February. Slot denied dropping nan subordinate from nan squad against West Ham successful April arsenic a consequence of a training crushed statement pinch a personnel of his coaching staff. There has been nary faulting nan forward’s exertion and effort this pre-season. Núñez returned successful fantabulous style and has looked crisp successful friendlies, though it was intelligibly clip for each parties to move on.

Liverpool are apt to suffer successful excess of £20m connected Núñez. The Anfield nine paid a guaranteed £65m for his services successful 2022 pinch a further £20m successful add-ons. Several prize payments, however, specified arsenic for winning nan Champions League and aft a specified number of starts, were ne'er activated. Al-Hilal person agreed to salary £46.3m positive add-ons and springiness a striker successful nan premier of his profession a three-year contract. A lucrative move for Núñez and a connection signing for nan Saudi Pro League, nary doubt, but besides a discarded of a headline-grabbing act.