Darwin Núñez’s time at Liverpool is drawing to a close as he prepares for a move to Al-Hilal, bringing an end to a rollercoaster three-year stint at Anfield. His journey with the Reds began with great promise, scoring on his debut against Manchester City in the Community Shield, but was quickly marred by a red card for head-butting an opponent in his first home match. That turbulent start set the tone for a career at Liverpool marked by moments of brilliance, glaring misses, and managerial frustration.
Initially brought in following standout performances for Benfica, Núñez was backed heavily by the coaching staff. However, both of Liverpool’s recent managers – first Jürgen Klopp and later Arne Slot – struggled to harness his full potential. Despite efforts to build around him, including conversations and tactical shifts aimed at boosting his confidence and centralising his role as a No 9, the striker failed to deliver consistent performances.
Under Slot, Núñez started the 2024-25 campaign with renewed energy and sharpness, even scoring a dramatic stoppage-time brace to secure a crucial win against Brentford. Yet, he would only find the net once more in his final 20 appearances. His inconsistency, especially against teams employing a low defensive block, limited his impact. Slot candidly acknowledged that Núñez needed to be used in a very specific way that did not align with Liverpool’s evolving tactical needs.
Despite criticism about his work rate in some games and reported friction behind the scenes, Núñez remained a hard-working presence, particularly in pre-season. Still, the time had come for a fresh start. He had previously pushed for a move during the January transfer window, which Liverpool resisted in pursuit of the league title.
Now, the club is accepting a deal worth £46.3m plus add-ons from Al-Hilal, representing a notable financial loss on the £65m guaranteed fee they paid in 2022. While some performance-related add-ons were never activated, the departure still marks a rare instance of Liverpool admitting defeat on a major signing.
As he heads to Saudi Arabia, Núñez leaves behind a legacy of passion, unpredictability, and unfulfilled potential. Though he never truly met expectations, many fans will remember him fondly for his spirit and key moments that helped define an era.
