Darwin Nunez is being heavily linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer after struggling for form and fitness during the 2024/25 campaign.
Darwin Núñez of Uruguay warms up
Darwin Nunez could leave Liverpool this summer(Image: Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez's former coach has offered his insights into the striker's difficulties at Liverpool, as rumours of an Anfield departure gain momentum.
Nunez is rumoured to be on the verge of leaving the Reds this summer, with his three-year spell at Merseyside potentially drawing to a close. Since his transfer from Benfica in 2022, the Uruguayan has struggled to find form, with the previous season marking his least productive period at the club.
The 26-year-old managed only seven goals in 47 matches across all competitions, with his inefficiency in front of goal persisting as a problem. Under Arne Slot, Nunez saw his role diminish, with his most recent start for Liverpool being against Southampton in early March.
It seems Liverpool are prepared to offload Nunez in the current transfer window, with Napoli emerging as a strong contender for his signature, although it's reported that negotiations could still have some way to go before any agreement is finalised.
Uruguayan coach Fabian Coito has spoken out about Nunez's potential switch to Serie A, shedding light on why he believes the forward hasn't settled well at Liverpool, reports Liverpool.com.
"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," Coito remarked to Kiss Kiss Napoli (as reported by 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."