Why Darwin Nunez's Liverpool Tenure Was Destined to Fail

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez during the pre-season friendly

Learn why Darwin Nunez's Liverpool career didn't take off as expected, with insights into his struggles and stats that highlighted his shortcomings.

The Uruguayan striker's struggles and lackluster performances ultimately led to his benching and a likely departure from Anfield.

Darwin Nunez's time at Liverpool was marked by inconsistency, failing to consistently showcase the immense talent that earned him a high-profile transfer. Despite his potential, he struggled to live up to expectations, ultimately leading to his departure to the Saudi Pro League.

Nunez's Form Fluctuation

Darwin Nunez's impressive 2021/22 campaign at Benfica proved to be a one-off, and his subsequent move to Liverpool didn't yield the expected results. Prior to that standout season, he managed just nine goals and nine assists in 36 domestic games for Benfica. His form at Almeria, with 16 goals and three assists in 32 games, likely inflated expectations about his abilities.

Nunez's impressive stats at Almeria in the Spanish Segunda Division, where he scored 16 goals in 32 games, masked the fact that he was playing in a lower league. At Liverpool, he scored 9 goals in 29 Premier League games in his first season, a reasonable return as he adjusted to the English top-flight. However, his form barely improved in the 2023/24 season, with 11 goals, sparking doubts about his suitability for the team.

Shooting Inaccuracy

Nunez's shooting statistics revealed concerning trends, with nearly as many shots off target (40) as on target (46). Additionally, 22 of his shots were blocked or cleared. His shot conversion rate stood at just 12.8%, and 17 of his 21 headers also missed the target.

Darwin Nunez Radar Graphic - Benfica, 2021/22 Portuguese League Season | Opta by Stats Perform

Nunez's passing accuracy was 71.6%, his best in a league season, but still lagged behind teammates like Mo Salah (78.3%) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (78.3%). With Arne Slot taking over at Liverpool, there was likely an expectation that past performances would be set aside, and the Dutch manager would select his best XI based on his own assessment.

Darwin Nunez. That's it. That's the tweet ✨ pic.twitter.com/8wZoHjzf1w

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) August 10, 2025

Nunez's Struggles Continue

The arrival of Arne Slot presented an opportunity for Darwin Nunez to reset his Liverpool career and secure a permanent spot in the starting XI. However, he started just eight of 30 Premier League games in 2024/25, and a notable miss against Aston Villa, where he had the entire goal to aim at, highlighted his struggles.

Darwin Nunez has missed just shy of one big chance every game since 2022/23 🫣 pic.twitter.com/f3vgrZk2xa

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 20, 2025

Nunez's five league goals were perhaps understandable given his limited playing time, but he likely knew it wasn't enough. His body language often suggested he was carrying a heavy burden, and as the season progressed, it seemed increasingly likely that his time at Liverpool would come to an end.

New Chapter for Nunez

A lack of interest from top European clubs may have been a blow to Nunez, but he may find renewed success and rediscover his scoring touch in the Saudi Pro League.

Nunez's future prospects in top leagues remain uncertain, but with much of his career ahead, he can use this as motivation to regain his form. If he's willing, he can work towards realizing his potential; otherwise, he risks being another player who fell short of expectations.