Darwin Nunez transfer: Liverpool ‘made the right call’ in winter market
Darwin Nunez is a polarising figure at Liverpool but he could prove crucial for Arne Slot in the second-half of the season.
The Dutchman has taken English football by storm in his first season in the Anfield dugout and the Reds can move nine points clear of Arsenal in the Premier League title race with victory against Everton (12 February).
The former Feyenoord boss held crunch talks with the Uruguayan after an underwhelming start to the season and the 25-year-old stepped up with two late goals to beat Brentford (18 January).
With the inconsistent form of Luis Diaz when given a starting berth in the number nine role and Diogo Jota’s constant injury woes, it was a no-brainer to keep Nunez around.
Liverpool right to reject two bids for Nunez
Liverpool rejected two bids from Al-Nassr for Nunez before the transfer deadline, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.
The interest from Saudi outfits was first reported by Anfield Watch on 13 January before David Ornstein reported that the Riyadh-based club had made an offer for the Uruguay star.
However, the Reds’ refusal to sell was the correct decision given the concerns around their current options in the number nine role and the lack of time to find a replacement.
Another reason that the refusal to sell makes sense is the former Penarol ace’s ability to pop up with decisive goals in the run-in as shown in the Brentford victory.
Nunez will probably leave Liverpool in the summer
The win against the Bees ended a mini-wobble for the Reds and they have won their next two league matches against Ipswich and high-flying Bournemouth.
If Nunez had not scored the two late goals then the poor run may have continued and their advantage at the top may have not been as strong.
Whether Nunez is at Anfield in the long-term is a completely different question, Slot is reportedly looking to completely overhaul his front-line with Jota and Diaz potential casualties. [Anfield Watch]
The Dutchman is looking to take his firepower to a new level with the likes of Nunez, Diaz and Jota enduring massively underwhelming campaigns.
Reds legend Jamie Carragher has mooted a move for Newcastle star Alexander Isak [The Overlap] in the summer and if that is to happen, the Merseysiders would need to get rid of Nunez.
The Swedish striker would represent a huge upgrade on the former Benfica man as he has 17 goals and five assists in 22 Premier League matches compared to Nunez’s four goals and two assists in 18 league appearances.