Klopp hit, transfer decision – Liverpool give clear verdict on Darwin Nunez after Instagram storm

Darwin Nunez fights in Liverpool. The striker is under the spotlight after a run of six games without a goal as Jurgen Klopp’s side see their Premier League title challenge falter.

Nunez has 18 goals and 13 assists in 52 games this season, a marked improvement from 15 goals and four assists in 42 games last campaign. However, the Uruguayan has frustrated fans with his finishing in recent games and has seen his place in the Reds’ starting line-up come under considerable threat as a result.

He has started just one of Liverpool’s last three games and recently deleted any photos of him in action for the club from his Instagram profile. This has prompted considerable speculation about Nunez’s future and what the future may hold for the 24-year-old, signed from Benfica for £64m in 2022.

Here, the LiverpoolECHO sportswriters have their say on Nunez and what could be next for the Uruguay international…

READ MORE: Liverpool face obvious change as Alisson admits ‘pretty bad injury’.

READ MORE: Emre Can sends clear message to Liverpool after reaching Champions League final

Keifer MacDonald

Your view of Darwin Nunez will depend on whether you think the glass is half full or half empty.

Indeed, it has been a much-improved second season at Anfield for the Uruguayan, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions and provided a further 13 assists. Sure, there have been highlights – see his winner against Newcastle United in August or his spectacular effort against Bournemouth in November’s League Cup tie – but there have also been some pretty horrendous misses along the way. Many too.

And when the dust settles on Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield, Nunez’s misses against Luton Town, Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Everton will all be looked at as moments that could have swung the pendulum in Liverpool’s favour.

But football doesn’t work that way and instead Nunez will head into his third season as a Red with his foot between his teeth and ready to take on the challenge of becoming Arne Slot’s No.9 at Anfield.

Realistically, there would be little point in Liverpool cutting ties with the Uruguayan after successfully negotiating such tedious teething stages in his first two years on Merseyside. But this summer, Nunez will lose his biggest ally in Klopp, and so any assurances he previously held will count for nothing.

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 his move from Benfica in the summer of 2022. There were chances you’d expect any striker in the Premier League, let alone one who cost a total of £64m to deposit.

But it may still be too early to give up on the Uruguayan, at 24 he is on the rise and it may only take one lucky goal to boost his confidence and see him go on a run of goals. The arrival of Arne Slot as manager in the summer may also help the forward with a fresh perspective on the situation, despite the departure of Jurgen Klopp, who has kept his faith in him.

Nunez’s social media activity doesn’t exactly help the situation, it only adds to the spotlight on him and the scrutiny that surrounds him. Given that he would struggle to come close to the fee they paid for him just two years ago, Liverpool might be better off hoping he can turn his career around at Anfield.

Jack Flintham

While Nunez will be the first to admit that this season has not been as good as expected, the Uruguayan is still showing signs of why Jurgen Klopp bought him. A tally of 18 goals in all competitions is modest to say the least.

But for me, it shows there is enough there for Arne Slot and Co to work with in pre-season and justifies keeping him at the football club. There is a danger of falling into the trap that other Premier League clubs have found themselves in and going through a huge turnover of players after a few seasons when they have yet to qualify.

He has already managed to beat his tally from last campaign and perhaps signing another striker in the summer would help ease the pressure on his shoulders. Perhaps if a Victor Osimhen was targeted in the transfer window, the focus would be taken 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 on his Anfield debut when he was sent off for headbutting Joachim Andersen.

He is Liverpool’s agent of chaos and having a player like him in your team is better than not. While Jurgen Klopp’s departure will likely have an impact on Nunez, selling him should not be a priority for new manager Arne Slot.

It’s quite possible that the Uruguay international will realize his true potential under the Dutchman, however if he continues to show signs of struggle he could be worth reconsidering. Despite often frustrating Liverpool fans with his lack of edge in front of goal, Nunez has still scored 18 goals this season.

So his stock hasn’t fallen drastically and Liverpool may reassess his future this time next year, but in the meantime, he’s absolutely worth keeping.