Klopp blow, transfer decision - Liverpool handed clear Darwin Nunez verdict after Instagram storm

Darwin Nunez is struggling at Liverpool. The striker is under the spotlight after a run of six games without a goal with Jurgen Klopp's side seeing their Premier League title challenge fizzle out.

Nunez has 18 goals and 13 assists in 52 matches this season, a marked improvement on 15 goals and four assists in 42 games last campaign. However, the Uruguayan has frustrated fans with his finishing in recent matches and has seen his place in the Reds' starting lineup come under considerable threat as a result.

He has only started one of Liverpool's past three matches and recently wiped any photo of him in action for the club on his Instagram profile. That has prompted considerable speculation about Nunez's future and what the future may hold for the 24-year-old, signed from Benfica for £64 million in 2022.

Here, the LiverpoolECHO's sports writers have had their say on Nunez and what may be next for the Uruguay international...

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Keifer MacDonald

Your view of Darwin Nunez will depend on whether you believe the glass to be half full or half empty.

Indeed, it has been a much improved second season at Anfield for the Uruguayan, who has scored 18 goals across all competitions and provided a further 13 assists. Sure, there have been big moments - see his game-winning brace against Newcastle United in August or his spectacular effort against Bournemouth in November's League Cup tie - but there have also been some pretty horrific misses along the way. Plenty of them too.

And when the dust settles on Jurgen Klopp's final season at Anfield, Nunez's misses against Luton Town, Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Everton will all be scrutinised as moments that could have swung the pendulum in Liverpool's favour.

But football doesn't work like that and instead, Nunez will head into his third season as a Red with the bit between his teeth and ready to embrace the challenge of becoming Arne Slot's first-choice No.9 at Anfield.

Realistically, there would be little point in Liverpool cutting ties with the Uruguayan after successfully negotiating such tedious teething stages during his first two years on Merseyside. But this summer will see Nunez lose his biggest ally in Klopp and, therefore, any assurances he's previously had will count for nothing.

The only way Nunez can guarantee his future is by taking his chances.

Amie Wilson

Darwin Nunez has not scored the number of goals he should have in a Liverpool shirt since making the move from Benfica in the summer of 2022. There have been chances that you’d expect any striker in the Premier League, let alone one that cost a total of £64m to put away.

But it might still be too early to give up on the Uruguayan just yet, at 24-year-old he is coming into his prime, and it may take just one lucky goal to boost his confidence and see him go on a goalscoring run. The arrival of Arne Slot as manager in the summer may also help the striker with a fresh outlook on the situation, despite the departure of Jurgen Klopp who has kept the faith in him.

Nunez’s social media activity doesn’t exactly help the situation, it only adds to the spotlight on him and the scrutiny surrounding him. Given that they would struggle to get close to the fee that they paid for him just two years ago, Liverpool may just be better in hoping that he can turn his career at Anfield around.

Jack Flintham

While Nunez will be the first to admit that this season has not been as good as he expected it to be, the Uruguayan is still showing signs of why Jurgen Klopp purchased him. A tally of 18 goals across all competitions is modest to say the least.

But for me, it shows there is enough there for Arne Slot and Co. to work with in pre-season and justifies keeping him at the football club. There is a danger of falling into the trap that some other Premier League clubs have found themselves in and going through a huge turnover of players after a couple of seasons when they haven't quite met the grade yet.

He has already managed to beat his tally from the last campaign and perhaps purchasing another striker in the summer would help ease the pressure on his shoulders. Perhaps if a Victor Osimhen was targeted in the transfer window, the focus would be taken off Nunez helping him to continue to adapt to the top flight.

Kieran Horn

Darwin Nunez very rarely has a quiet game and that was very evident from his Anfield debut when he was sent off for headbutting Joachim Andersen.

He is Liverpool's agent of chaos and having a player like him in your squad is better than not. While the departure of Jurgen Klopp will likely have an impact on Nunez, selling him should not be a priority for incoming new manager Arne Slot.

It is very possible that the Uruguay international realises his true potential under the Dutchman, however if he continues to show signs of struggling it may be worth reconsidering. Despite often frustrating Liverpool fans with his lack of a cutting edge in front of goal, Nunez has still scored 18 goals this season.

Therefore, his stock has not drastically fallen and Liverpool can reassess his future this time next year, but in the meantime, he is absolutely worth keeping.