Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has adjudged Darwin Nunez to "maybe" be the worst transfer mistake in the club's history - with the forward's future at Anfield uncertain.
The Uruguayan striker represented a record signing from the Merseysiders when he arrived from Benfica for a fee rising to €85.00m ($97 million) in the summer of 2023. However, the attacker has experienced a mixed three-year spell with the Reds, with his stay having been beset by a wastefulness in front of goal and an inconsistent strike rate.
The 25-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League in January and Spanish giant Atletico Madrid has been mentioned as potentially harboring an interest in his services. Now, after Nunez scored just five times in 30 appearances this season, ex-Liverpool star Hamann has called on his former employers to call time on his stay.
Speaking to Betting Lounge, the retired German international gave a damning appraisal of the forward's performances over the past three seasons. Assessing his impact at Anfield, he said: "Is Darwin Nunez the biggest transfer mistake in Liverpool’s history? Maybe, it’s just part of the game.
"When you bring players in, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. People probably thought, myself included, if you bring somebody in for £85million, it guarantees you goals, but looking back it wasn’t money well spent.
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Urging Reds chiefs to cash-in on the striker, he continued: "Now you need to see how much you recoup. Maybe one of the Saudi clubs comes and you get your money back. The other thing is, we shouldn’t forget that he’s been part of a title winning side. He played his part as much as everybody else.
"He was part of the team. He contributed maybe not as much as others, but sometimes it’s easier to swallow when you bring a player in like him, when the team is still successful regardless.
Didi Hamann wearing a headset while on punditry duty.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann. (Image: Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Either way, Hamann is relieved that Liverpool has found success in the form of the Premier League title - despite Nunez misfiring in front of goal this term. He added: "I think it’s a very good sign for the state Liverpool is in at the moment to bring in a forward in for a lot of money and he doesn’t score many goals, but you’re still winning."
Meanwhile, Reds head coach Arne Slot has acknowledged that he is now determined to ensure his players make a solid attempt at defending their crown next season. He said: "Hopefully that appetite will be big but we will see this when pre-season starts and when we start again.
Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, gives instructions to Darwin Nunez of Liverpool as he prepares to enter the pitch during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool, gives instructions to Darwin Nunez. (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"A few of them have already shown that they can win multiple times. I'm talking about the ones that have won the league and the Champions League here before and these are also the players that just keep on performing year after year after year, even if they don't win it.
"A few of them now won the league for the first time and they have to show that they have the same mentality as the ones that have won it here before.
He added: "I'm looking forward to being part of that. We know it's going to be tough again. It was already very tough this season. It's going be probably just as tough or even tougher next season because the club that we've competed with this season have in every window always invested a lot of money and they're probably going to do so this summer as well."