Liverpool are eyeing up a new striker but some would rather stick with what they’ve got for now
The future of Darwin Nunez at Liverpool is unclear, amid interest from other clubs and links to new strikers as the summer transfer window reopens. But some fans in the ECHO comments section say that it’s worth sticking by Nunez, and that Liverpool’s opportunities will come.
Interest in Nunez from Saudi Pro League clubs appears to have cooled since the January transfer window, but he still has his admirers as Nunez has reportedly told Liverpool he would prefer a move to a European club. The Mirror say that Liverpool would be aiming for a £50 million fee if they were to sell him over the next couple of months – some £15m below the basic fee they paid out for him back in 2022, but well short of the full package with add-ons.
The club are monitoring replacements in the event they find themselves short of attackers, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike on the shortlist after a breakthrough Bundesliga season, scoring 15 league goals in 33 games. He’s admired by other Premier Leagues clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United, though nobody has started the race just yet.
Some aren’t convinced by Ekitike or other available options, or think that other additions will help Nunez back to form again. Reader Guille says: “Nunez needs a playmaker who can filter a proper pass so he can make the run to goal. He will miss and convert, the same as Salah and Jota do. LFC does not have a playmaker who can do this and additionally he was benched the whole season. What do you expect then?”
Commenter JC4PM writes: “In my opinion Hugo Ekitike is overrated & greatly over-priced, he’s a £35m player at most. I would stick with Nunez next season & then go for Alexander Isak next summer.”
Doctorchillgood isn’t sure: “Too many ‘ifs’ around Nunez. Proper strikers are rare — and any real upgrade likely hinges on flogging him first. But who’s overpaying now his stock’s dipped? And are we seriously banking on finding someone better, boss- and budget-friendly, and somehow up for sale?
“Slating him only drags the price down — and if he stays, good luck rebuilding his confidence after that. He’s not injury-prone — the lad’s fit, fiery, and still pure chaos in the right setup. Gave PSG a proper scare in the first leg. Slot might need to open things up a bit — and now and then, just let Darwin be the chaos.”
Paddocklad would be wary for different reasons: “I can see the necessity of raising funds to finance other moves in the market but they surely have to be careful not to disrupt the incredible team spirit which has been a major factor in success with both Klopp and Slot. Seems to me that the potential loss after TAA of Robbo (or Tsimikas), Lucho, Nunez, Quansah and Gomez would be too big an upheaval and risks harming that vital togetherness.”
Others are convinced that more change up top will only help Liverpool defend their title. Lacatus says: “Just offload Nunez for whatever we can get for him! Even if it’s a loss, just get rid because he hasn’t and isn’t gonna improve with us. I’m not saying he’s a bad player, just that he’s not suited to us. He’ll probably leave us and set the world on fire in Spain or Italy. But he isn’t gonna do it with us, fact! Get what we can for him and get a proper No.9.”
NigelRG writes: “Darwin is an excellent left-winger, but a poor striker. So, if Diaz leaves, I would keep him. If Diaz goes, sell. But we need a good #9. Even if Jota recovers his form, he’s injury-prone.”
Cyclingcylon says: “Nunez needs shifting for a minimum £50m. Etikite strikes me as a player like Nunez, having had one good season at Frankfurt after a couple elsewhere where he didn’t light any fires.”
Have your say! Do you think that Liverpool need a striker this summer? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
