Jurgen Klopp has placed Benfica striker Darwin Nunez on Liverpool ’s transfer shortlist this summer as the Reds begin to prepare for life without Sadio Mane.
The highly-rated Uruguay international is seen as one of the ideal attackers to replace the Senegal star who looks likely to head through the Anfield exit this summer after leaving the door open to a move elsewhere with Bayern Munich circling.
Nunez, 22, enjoyed a phenomenal campaign last season, netting 34 goals in 41 appearances and he caught Liverpool’s eye when netting in the 3-3 draw at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final in April.
As first reported by the ECHO, Klopp is keen on adding the Benfica man to his squad, and it's not hard to see why. Nunez ticks many boxes from a Liverpool point of view, though it’s thought the Reds aren’t willing to pay the £85million that Benfica are said to be looking for. Yet if they can drive that fee down, then the 22-year-old could be the ideal striker to lead a new era for Liverpool’s front line.
Last season Nunez most often lined up in a front two within a 4-4-2 formation, though under interim manager Nelson Verissimo, Benfica tended to be a tactically fluid side, utilising other different formations such as 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3. Nunez was able to adapt and thrive within all of them, shedding some light on his impressive versatility that would certainly come in handy under Jurgen Klopp.
When not featuring as an out and out forward, you'll often see Nunez operating on the left of his side's attack. This is despite being right-footed. However as is the case for Mane, this area of the pitch suits him best as it allows him to utilise his blistering pace to run at and bypass defenders before cutting inside onto his favoured foot to unleash efforts at goal.
Would Nunez be a good addition for Liverpool? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.While Nunez is in many ways the ideal Mane replacement, there are other facets to his profile that’d bring something a little different than what Liverpool already have in attack. Their front line for much of Klopp’s time has largely made up of technically proficient but small framed forwards.
At 6ft2, Nunez is different to that. He’s noticeably taller than Mane who stands at just 5ft9 and his size plus upper body strength aid him in pinning and often overcoming opposition centre-backs in physical duels.
His size also makes him an ever-present aerial threat, something hugely appealing given the crossing ability that Liverpool have thanks to each of Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The fee to land Nunez may eventually prove to be a sticking point that can’t be overcome, however, if Liverpool can get Benfica to soften their stance, then Nunez could be the ideal player to lead the next stage of Liverpool’s attacking evolution.
