Darwin Nunez is quite a curious case when it comes to Liverpool players.
The Uruguay international has had a bit of a topsy-turvy time at Anfield since arriving three years ago, with there being times when he’s seemed to be the best player on the pitch and others when he’s been below par.
The 2024-25 season was the best example of that as he only contributed to 14 goals across all competitions, but he did manage to bag an added-time brace against Brentford to send Liverpool on their way to the Premier League title.
Rumours have been rife about Nunez’s Liverpool future since the transfer window opened, with Napoli the ones leading the chase.
Arne Slot with his hand over his eyes during the PSV v Liverpool Champions League clash.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
However, nothing has yet come to fruition with negotiations still taking place between both clubs.
Darwin Nunez’s former coach Fabian Coito shares why he’s struggled at Liverpool
There’s no denying that during his time at Benfica, Nunez was an exceptional talent.
The attacker was quick on the ball and could play equally as well as a left winger or as a striker.
However, it feels like the Uruguay international should have developed far more during his time at Anfield with his former coach, Fabian Coito, now sharing why he’s struggled to find his feet.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
A clear statement must be made about Darwin Nunez: based on his technical, tactical and personal characteristics, he needs certain conditions to be able to perform at his best,” he said to Kiss Kiss Napoli via Area Napoli.
“First of all, he needs to be physically fit. Tactically, he needs game situations where he can exploit space to unleash his attacks in depth. This is his main characteristic that impressed me, even when I coached him as a young player with Uruguay.
“And this is his main weapon even now. And these tactical prerogatives probably weren’t developed at Liverpool, preventing him from expressing himself to the fullest.
“In the Premier League, the pace is high and you have to make the best decisions on the pitch in a fraction of a second. I have no doubts about Darwin: he’s young, he has an impressive physique, his greatest quality, and he’s in great shape.
“Plus, he’s an exceptional person, and from my point of view, this aspect is fundamental.”
Darwin Nunez looking dejected after the Champions League clash between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
Liverpool need to cut their losses and sell Darwin Nunez this summer
Nunez has now been a Liverpool player for three years, and to be honest, it doesn’t feel like he’s become any more consistent during that time.
There’s no denying that he has a keen eye for goal when he can get his strikes on target, but to be classed as an elite number nine, you need to be scoring 15 goals per season.
Games Goals Assists
47 7 7
Darwin Nunez’s 2024-25 season in numbers.
At the moment, Napoli seem to be the team in the driver’s seat to prise the striker away from Anfield.
However, if they can’t come to an agreement soon, Antonio Conte will likely turn his attention to Lorenzo Lucca, leaving Liverpool no way to recoup the money they’ve spent on new players this summer.
At the moment, it’s anyone’s guess what could happen, but on paper, the smartest move to make seems to be selling Nunez and trying to bring in someone else to cover the gap he’d leave behind.