Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp era was clearly a successful era. Under the charismatic German, the Merseysider won everything he really wanted to win.
Most of their transfer transactions at that point were also successful. The influence of players like Mohamed Sarah, Sadio Manet, Virgil van Dick, Andy Robertson, Allison Becker, Fabigno, Giorginio Weinardoum, Joel Mattipp, Diogo Jota, Louis Diaz, Conate Ibrahima, Leanne Greigns and Dominique Schbosly McKins Alexus
However, there have also been signatures that are completely unspoken for a variety of reasons, including Marko Grujic, Loris Karius, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara and Darwinnes, who has attracted a lot of attention over the past three years.
Everything about Uruguay International sparked debate, and certain media outlets naturally played a major role, starting with Liverpool paying Benfica for his services in the summer of 2022. Nunez will cost Liverpool’s initial fee of 85 million euros (over £72 million), with certain add-ons potentially increasing to 100 million euros (£85 million). But as soon as things began to go downhill, he was named “a £100 million flop” by the British press.
Uruguay International, striker and slightly temperamental, Nunes was quickly compared to Luis Suarez, who enjoyed much between 2011 and 2014 by Anfield’s faithful glow.
Nunes’ debut at Liverpool played against Manchester City on Community Shield, playing over 30 minutes of the match. He followed with goals and assists in his league debut with Fulham, with early signs suggesting that he was worth the money he spent on signing him.
However, a fierce setback continued as Nunez manipulated Joachim Andersen (the then Crystal Palace player) manipulated the temperament of referee Paul Tierney and Nunez himself, sending a new Liverpool striker in less than an hour. It happened as the three-game ban followed, followed by another round of bashing by the media, and Nunez didn’t really have what he needed to recover from such pressure.
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There’s nothing Nunes can’t do about his ability in soccer. He has proven that several times. He is strong, fast, good in the air, hardworking, good presser of the ball, he can dribble, he can shoot, he has good eyesight, and is very creative as well. And he has a little Suarez in him. He sometimes creates wonderful, cocky goals that require an incredible level of skill. The back heel flick against Real Madrid and the lob against Brentford stand out in that respect. He is also known to actually get out of the bench twice – and get a brace, bringing the team’s victory. That’s another thing Brentford can prove like Newcastle.
However, Nunes wasn’t long anyway and it appears he couldn’t properly restore his confidence, and for a striker, confidence is clearly important. The lack of that always creates waste in front of the goal, and it cannot be denied the fact that Nunes wasted a surprising number of clear opportunities.
And every time he produces good performances and shakes the path of Liverpool, hope seems likely to have made him the path to overcoming his anxiety and ultimately becoming a great ninth place for the club. And every time, the disappointment continues inevitably. Klopp couldn’t perform on him consistently. And it seems Arne Slot, who only took over last summer and is already heading for the Premier League title, but he can’t do either.
Liverpool clearly need the right centre forward. This allows you to score over 20 goals per season and can rely on you to miss out on opportunities regularly. For example, you need to have the kind of presence that Newcastle has in Alexander Isaac. Three years have passed, but Nunes has not become such a player. If he wasn’t before, he probably wouldn’t. They had waited long enough for him.
It’s time to move on for both the players and the club. And it is reportedly expected that their way of breaking up will be apart this summer.
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