Darwin Nunez’s time at Liverpool has been a source of great frustration for supporters, although no one may be more disappointed than Pep Lijnders.
Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant is back in the Premier League now after being appointed to Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City. Having been given Klopp’s backing, and spoken to Arne Slot before taking on the job, Lijnders will find himself coming up against many of the same players he worked with just over a year ago at Anfield.
Nunez though is unlikely to be among them. The writing looks to be on the wall for the Uruguayan, with a move away from Liverpool surely on the cards this summer.
Three years on from his big-money move from Benfica, it’s fair to say Nunez’s signing has not worked out in the way Liverpool would have hoped.
There have been flashes of the superstar striker fans had expected to be getting back in 2022, but they have been few and far between among the plethora wasted chances in front of goal.
Now, a parting of ways looks to be inevitable, with Nunez being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, while Atletico Madrid has also been touted as a possible destination.
His exit, whenever it occurs, will draw the end to a chapter that had promised so much more, not least for Lijnders.
Darwin Nunez walks through the tunnel at Anfield before a Liverpool game
Darwin Nunez looks likely to leave Liverpool this summer (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool’s former coach worked closely with Nunez during the two years they spent together at Anfield, as anyone who watched the Amazon documentary on Klopp’s tenure with the Reds will remember.
In one scene, Lijnders can be seen speaking to Nunez as they analyze his game, and the somewhat wayward start he had made to life on Merseyside, with the Dutchman offering up some words of encouragement to the striker.
"Some players are just about scoring, but you’re becoming more and more of an assist provider," Lijnders told Nunez. "I still think you’ve got so much to offer."
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Unfortunately, as has become apparent in the year since Lijnders left Anfield, that faith may have been misguided.
Despite Liverpool cruising to the Premier League title, Nunez has not improved as a player. His finishing remains unreliable - not a great trait to have as a striker - while he has been criticized on a couple of occasions by Slot for his work rate in games.
Although he has retained the support of a lot of Liverpool fans, the majority have now reached the same conclusion that the Reds need to move on to another option, with plenty of names being linked with filling the void that Nunez is expected to leave.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal is said to be interested in the Uruguayan, with Liverpool claimed to be looking to recoup around $95 million as Nunez's time on Merseyside has failed to live up to the expectations set by Lijnders.