Darwin Nunez could make a sensational return to Liverpool just one year after leaving for Al-Hilal, with reports suggesting the striker wants to come back to Anfield following his nightmare spell in Saudi Arabia
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 27: Darwin Nunez of Uruguay during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez has been a thorn in Andoni Iraola's side previously(Image: Molly Darlington, Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola frequently found himself on the wrong end of Darwin Nunez during his time at Bournemouth – and now speculation is mounting that he could bring the striker back to Liverpool this summer.
Nunez departed Anfield last summer after three years with the Reds, during which his high-profile switch from Benfica failed to deliver on its promise. Matters have shown little improvement for the Uruguayan since his exit, with his stint in Saudi Arabia already appearing to be drawing to a close.
The 26-year-old endured a torrid second half of the campaign at Al-Hilal, having been axed from the club's league squad following the arrival of Karim Benzema. Nunez has not featured in a competitive club fixture since February, prompting speculation that Al-Hilal could terminate his contract – a development that has seen a number of Liverpool supporters calling for his return.
The remarkable suggestion has been gathering momentum on social media, with Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claiming that Nunez is keen on a return to Liverpool amid rumours linking him with a move back to the Premier League.
Should he – and it remains a very significant if – make his way back to Anfield, Nunez would find himself working under his third different manager, following spells under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, with Iraola now at the helm. The former Bournemouth manager has endured more than most at the hands of the striker.
Nunez possesses an excellent record against the Cherries, having netted four goals in six appearances against them - his finest tally against any Premier League opponent.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, hugs Darwin Nunez of Liverpool after the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola was left stunned by Darwin Nunez's goal for Liverpool against Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
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One of those strikes in particular left Iraola astounded. In November 2023, Nunez emerged from the substitutes' bench to score a spectacular winner against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup, drifting in from the left before curling the ball superbly into the top right corner.
That goal proved instrumental to Liverpool's campaign, with the Reds subsequently triumphing at Wembley against Chelsea for Klopp's final piece of silverware in charge, and Iraola was utterly taken aback by what he witnessed.
"We probably deserved more," Iraola claimed after the game. "The players deserved more. We had our chances, and we were creating a lot of chances in the second half. Liverpool were struggling.
"But it's true that Darwin made the difference with a huge strike. A very good goal. And they (Liverpool) are the ones who are in the next round.
"There's not a lot we can do with those type of goals. He struck the ball amazingly."
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