Ex Red Urges Liverpool to Give Núñez One More Season
Changing Faces in Liverpool's Attack
As Liverpool look to reshape their attack under Arne Slot, one major talking point surrounds the future of Darwin Núñez. Despite finishing the Premier League season as the highest-scoring team, the Reds often lacked the kind of cutting-edge striker that title-winning sides usually possess. Núñez, Liverpool's number nine, has failed to consistently deliver, and this summer could mark the end of his time at Anfield.
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'He has had plenty of chances in a Liverpool shirt but has been cut a frustrated figure too many times over the past three years, with this perhaps the summer when both parties call it quits.' Highlighted By The Echo.
It is a telling line and one that captures the sentiment around Núñez. There have been sparks of brilliance, yet those moments have too often been eclipsed by missed opportunities and misfortune in front of goal.
Stan Collymore's Plea for Patience
There is one voice offering defiance to the wave of criticism: former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore. Collymore, who knows a thing or two about the pressures of leading the line at Anfield, believes Núñez's story need not be over just yet.
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'The pressure on a striker's shoulders is already great before they have a huge transfer fee dangling above their hand, so it is no surprise to see Núñez, to some extent, flop.'
Photo: IMAGO
However, Collymore's point is not to excuse failure but to contextualise it. He recognises that adaptation is difficult, particularly with Mohamed Salah occupying the dominant attacking spotlight.
'Sometimes people show clips of Darwin at Benfica and ask what's happened. Well, teams play differently, there are different people around you and the attacking momentum and intent has always been through Mohamed Salah,' Collymore told the Liverpool Echo.
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While this statement won't quieten the doubters, it speaks to the broader challenge of fitting into a system built around a different kind of star.
Transfer Market Opens Wide for Núñez
Whether Liverpool will listen to Collymore's rallying cry is another matter. The club appear to be open to offers, and a long list of suitors is beginning to queue. Despite an underwhelming spell, Núñez remains a tantalising prospect for many elite sides.
Photo IMAGO
'Although he has had a very underwhelming three years and seen his valuation drop significantly, plenty of clubs are still willing to take a punt on him and the Reds, somehow, will not lose too much money.'
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From AC Milan and Napoli to Atletico Madrid and Saudi Arabia's wealthier clubs, the Uruguayan striker's name remains on scouting shortlists. A bidding war would be ideal for Liverpool, who paid a hefty £85 million to bring him from Benfica.
One Final Chapter or Time to Close the Book?
The romantic notion of Núñez staying for 'one last dance' still flickers among some fans and pundits. If Arne Slot sees a role for him, then perhaps a reinvention is possible under the Dutchman's guidance.
'So I am sure conversations are ongoing with Arne Slot and if he says he wants Darwin as a valued member of the team then I think he should stay.'
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But realism is biting. The tone from within the club and around Anfield feels like one preparing for a farewell. Should Núñez leave, he will do so with the bittersweet label of a Premier League champion, even if his contribution to that success remains uneven.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
It's hard not to feel a sense of what could have been. Darwin Núñez arrived with raw electricity — pace, power, unpredictability — and for fleeting moments, he looked every inch a Liverpool striker. But flashes are not enough at a club chasing major honours.
Most supporters will feel disappointed more than angry. Núñez clearly cared, wore his heart on his sleeve and never shied from the challenge. The frustration came from his inconsistency, not his effort. One week he'd look unplayable, the next he'd miss a sitter and fall flat. That volatility drained patience, especially in a season where margins were razor-thin.
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Collymore's words may resonate emotionally, but sentiment rarely wins titles. With Slot likely to want a sharper, more cohesive forward line, it's understandable why the club are looking to move on. If AC Milan or Napoli can help Liverpool recoup a decent chunk of the fee, it might be best for all parties.
Still, there's a lingering sadness. Núñez gave us chaos and colour, and in another system, he might have thrived. Unfortunately, at Liverpool, it just hasn't worked out. Let's hope he succeeds wherever he goes next.
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