Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal for £66m this summer to help fund the £125m arrival of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
Darwin Nunez left Liverpool this summer.
Darwin Nunez left Liverpool this summer.(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool had to part ways with Darwin Nunez to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal over the summer to make room for the transfers of Sweden international Alexander Isak and France forward Hugo Ekitike. The Uruguay international was sold for an initial fee of £66.8million with additional add-ons, a significant decrease from the £86.2m that the Reds paid Benfica for Nunez's services in 2022.
He kicked off pre-season on a high note for his new club, before being side-lined by a knee injury for much of the early part of the 2025/26 campaign. However, he has bounced back well, scoring the first goal in a 2-1 victory over Al-Fateh at the weekend.
So far this season, Nunez has made ten appearances, nine for his club and one for his country. He has netted five goals and provided two assists in six Saudi Pro League matches, including a hat-trick against Al-Ettifaq in October.
He has also played twice in the AFC Champions League for Al-Hilal, scoring one goal in 57 minutes of play. Despite playing one less match than most of their rivals, his club is currently leading the AFC Champions League table after four games.
In an ambitious move this summer, Al-Hilal lured two-time Champions League finalist manager Simone Inzaghi to Saudi Arabia and quickly signed a host of skilled players for the Italian.
The club boasts a talented squad which includes Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Malcolm, Ruben Neves, Theo Hernandez, Bono, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marcos Leonardo and captain Salem Al-Dawsari.
Darwin Nunez playing for Liverpool.
Darwin Nunez in action for Liverpool last season.
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Isak has endured a torrid beginning to his Liverpool journey following his massive £125 million ($169 million) switch from Newcastle to Merseyside during the summer transfer window.
The striker has become the first player in the club's history to suffer defeat in each of his opening five appearances.
Isak remains without a Premier League strike and he has managed just seven attempts - with only one finding the target - across 318 minutes of action.
Meanwhile, fellow new arrival Ekitike has enjoyed a more promising start, netting five times in 13 outings across all competitions while securing his maiden France call-up.
Nunez concluded his Anfield stint with 40 goals across his 143 appearances in all competitions.
"The Uruguayan's three-year spell with the Reds concludes after he finalised a switch to the Saudi Pro League side today," Liverpool said in a statement once his transfer was confirmed.
"Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future."
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