Liverpool never had any intention of selling Darwin Nunez during the summer transfer window.
Nunez had a slightly awkward first season at Anfield having arrived for a big fee from Benfica in 2022.
This led to some whisperings that the Uruguayan could be sold, with reports from Spain yesterday suggesting that Liverpool had actually tried to use Nunez in a swap deal for Joao Felix.
However, this was seemingly not the case. Writing in his Daily Briefing this morning, journalist Fabrizio Romano says the Reds consider the 24-year-old to be ‘untouchable.’
“Despite rumours about a swap deal for Joao Felix being discussed, Liverpool never wanted Darwin Nunez to leave this summer,” Romano says.
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“It was very clear on club side, the board and also the manager decided to keep Darwin in very clear way. Darwin was very happy with Liverpool considering him untouchable.”
As it should be. He’s going to explode this season!
Nunez not for sale
There will perhaps be portions of the Liverpool fan base who wouldn’t have been opposed to Nunez being sold this summer.
After a tricky first year at the club, some might have felt it best to cut losses and move on.
But Liverpool obviously never saw things that way. Although he’s been in and out of the team since the turn of the year, Jurgen Klopp and co clearly still expect big things from Nunez on Merseyside.
And why shouldn’t they? The Uruguay international suffered a similarly patchy debut campaign at former club Benfica.
Having hit 14 goals in his first year in Lisbon, Nunez then plundered 34 in his second. After notching 15 for Liverpool in 2022/23, hopefully he can now follow a similar pattern.
If he doesn’t, that won’t mean he’s failed either. As long as he’s contributing well and putting himself about, Darwin will continue to win fans on Merseyside.
Another season like his first could put him up for debate next summer. But for the time being, we’re really backing Nunez to shake off the question marks and prove Liverpool’s stance to be correct.