EXCLUSIVE: Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey on how the Reds can replace the injured Hugo Ekitike amid links this week with a return for the Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez
19:03, 17 Jun 2026
Darwin Nunez during the FIFA World Cup game between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Darwin Nunez during the FIFA World Cup game between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.(Image: Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey is baffled by some Reds fans being in favor of a return for Darwin Nunez, who has been linked with a shock return to Anfield this week.
Claims in Uruguay emerged a few days ago that said Nunez was set to sign for Liverpool a year on from leaving for Al Hilal. Those suggestions have since been played down.
Though the Reds are in need of attacking reinforcements, bringing back a player who largely frustrated with his erratic finishing and limited link-up play during his first spell at Liverpool would not appear to be logical.
"It's kind of a short-term fix as opposed to being a long-term investment," Heskey tells Liverpool.com.
"I don't see that being the fix that we need if I'm honest. If he's terminated his contract (at Al Hilal) then we need to know why. I don't think it’s a good idea. I can't see that."
Hugo Ekitike has a ruptured Achilles and will therefore be out for several months. One report this week suggested he was targeting a return at the end of the calendar year.
FLORIDA, USA - JUNE 15: Darwin Nunez (9) of Uruguay in action against Moteb Al-Harbi (24) of Saudi Arabia during the 2026 FIFA World Cup First Stage Group H match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium) in Miami Gardens, Florida, United States on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez of Uruguay in action against Moteb Al-Harbi of Saudi Arabia during the World Cup Group H match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Miami Gardens, Florida, United States on June 15, 2026(Image: Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Frenchman's absence, though, leaves only Alexander Isak as a natural starting option at number nine for Andoni Iraola. The Swede, of course, spent most of last season sidelined.
"With Ekitike's injury, it could be another six months at least," Heskey, speaking on behalf of Live Football Tickets, continues.
"And the interesting thing with Liverpool is that I've grown up in an era where we always had young lads that could come in and do your job for at least three or four months, if not the whole season.
"I'm the same. Well, I'm a little bit younger than Robbie Fowler but I saw him burst on the scene. I'm a little bit older than Michael Owen, and I’ve seen him burst on the scene.
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"We've always had them, and where are we with these players now? That's one of the things that Liverpool have probably got to look to tap into.
"But I can't see Darwin Nunez coming back. Bad idea."
Liverpool.com says: Nunez has been reinvented in the minds of some hungry for transfer news on social media this week. It was the right call to move him on, and the Reds got a very good fee for him.
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In reality, no transfer is ever free either. Nunez would command a fairly substantial wage, and you can't sign him only until Ekitike comes back. He would be on a three-year deal as a minimum, which wouldn't make sense.