Darwin Nunez could be set for a comeback to the Premier League but the experience of Luis Suarez serves as a warning to the star
Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez played together for Uruguay.
Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez played together for Uruguay.(Image: DANTE FERNANDEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez could be set for a return to the Premier League, risking spoiling his solid relationship with the club's fans. His predicament mirrors that of his compatriot, Luis Suarez, who faced a similar situation after leaving the Reds, and was later compelled to apologise.
Nunez departed last summer for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in a £46million deal. The former Benfica man had a mixed stint at Anfield, scoring 40 goals in 143 appearances but left with a Premier League winners medal and a League Cup.
He also became something of a cult hero, with fans recognising his tireless work ethic and penchant for creating excitement on the pitch. Chelsea have now emerged as a potential destination, as have Newcastle United after the Uruguayan lost his place in the team in Riyadh.
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The very idea of Nunez coming back to Anfield with another club, and perhaps scoring and even celebrating against the Reds, calls to mind the saga of Suarez, who left Liverpool to join Barcelona in 2014.
The enigmatic striker scored, and visibly took glee in doing so, in Barcelona's 3-0 first-leg win at the Nou Camp in the 2019 Champions League semi-final. The Uruguayan apologised for celebrating ahead of the second leg, aware he tarnished the bond he had with fans.
"I think people know the work I did here (Liverpool)," said Suarez. "I think there will be more applause than whistles. There may be quite a few who are not happy but I think there will be more who are happy and grateful."
Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on May 1, 2019. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP via Getty Images)
Luis Suarez celebrated wildly after scoring against Liverpool in 2019(Image: Getty)
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He added: "Celebrating the goal last week, people who know about football, who love this sport, know about the importance of this. I have all the respect in the world for the Liverpool fans. Because I scored and celebrated with my fans, I say sorry. Obviously, it is clear that if I score a goal against Liverpool I won't celebrate it in the same way."
In the return leg at Anfield, a game Liverpool famously won 4-0 to reach the European Cup final, Suarez was subjected to jeers throughout, suggesting fans had not forgotten his misdemeanour a week prior. Nunez will no doubt wish to keep his strong ties with the Reds in place.
The Kop faithful backed their striker after he was subject to ridicule by the media and rival fans for missing a hatful of chances in his time on Merseyside. Upon leaving the Reds, Nunez effusively thanked supporters. “Thank you, Liverpool,” he posted on social media. “Three years on, it’s time to say goodbye.
"I’ll take with me countless memories that will live with me forever. I leave with a full heart, thanks to the love of a crowd that never let me down and always had my back - through the highs and through the lows. Liverpool will always be part of who I am. I’ll miss you more than words can say."
The forward has nine goals and five assists from 24 appearances across all competitions this season. However, after Karim Benzema's arrival at Al-Hilal in February, Nunez's future with the club has been cast into speculation.
Darwin Nunez celebrates after scoring the 2nd goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ettifaq and Al Hilal.
Darwin Nunez has been linked with a summer move back to the Premier League. (Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
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As a result of a strict foreign player quota and Benzema's registration, Nunez is now unable to play in the Pro League or the Cup for his current club and so a return to the Premier League is looking likely.
As for Suarez, speaking in 2020, with the relationship between him and Liverpool fans somewhat sullied, the ex-Ajax forward made amends for his actions a year earlier.
He said: "I know some Liverpool supporters were angry with me because I celebrated a goal against Liverpool here in Camp Nou and for that I am so sad. I accept that and I say that hopefully they understand my situation: we were playing at home and in the Champions League semi-final.
"I lived one of the best moments of my life there and I think the supporters didn’t forget how my attitude was in the Liverpool shirt. Now hopefully they are so happy with the Premier League trophy this year."
Wherever Nunez plays his football next, it's certain the player who spent three seasons on Merseyside will not want to partake in a similar act of penance to that of his compatriot.
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