Blockbuster Liverpool swap touted as controversial pundit begs Slot to bin off ‘robotic’ star

Blockbuster Liverpool swap touted as controversial pundit begs Slot to bin off ‘robotic’ star

Darwin Nunez has been told his time is up at Liverpool this summer with the striker proving he’s not of the standards required at Anfield and with one observer suggesting Arne Slot uses the Uruguayan as a bargaining chip in a blockbuster swap deal.

Big things were expected of Nunez when he joined the Reds from Benfica in summer 2022 for a fee that would eventually top £85m – a club-record deal for Liverpool. Now in his third season on Merseyside, the 25-year-old’s career has stagnated this season and he has fallen down the pecking order under Slot.

Indeed, the 33-times capped Uruguay star has cut a frustrated figure this season, often having to make do with appearances off the substitutes bench and with Liverpool favouring either Diogo Jota or Luis Diaz to lead the forward line.

As a result, speculation has ramped up that Nunez will be allowed to leave this summer, with trusted sources James Pearce and Fabrizio Romano both making clear that the striker – who has 40 goals in 136 appearances for the Reds – is expected to move on.

That’s a scenario another former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore can also see playing out, with Nunez failing to cut the mustard on Merseyside and with the player branded ‘robotic’.

Blockbuster Liverpool swap touted as controversial pundit begs Slot to bin off ‘robotic’ star

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is being backed to show Darwin Nunez the door

Darwin Nunez has been told his time is up at Liverpool this summer with the striker proving he’s not of the standards required at Anfield and with one observer suggesting Arne Slot uses the Uruguayan as a bargaining chip in a blockbuster swap deal.

Big things were expected of Nunez when he joined the Reds from Benfica in summer 2022 for a fee that would eventually top £85m – a club-record deal for Liverpool. Now in his third season on Merseyside, the 25-year-old’s career has stagnated this season and he has fallen down the pecking order under Slot.

Indeed, the 33-times capped Uruguay star has cut a frustrated figure this season, often having to make do with appearances off the substitutes bench and with Liverpool favouring either Diogo Jota or Luis Diaz to lead the forward line.

As a result, speculation has ramped up that Nunez will be allowed to leave this summer, with trusted sources James Pearce and Fabrizio Romano both making clear that the striker – who has 40 goals in 136 appearances for the Reds – is expected to move on.

That’s a scenario another former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore can also see playing out, with Nunez failing to cut the mustard on Merseyside and with the player branded ‘robotic’.

“Darwin Nunez arrived at Liverpool as a very confident player, and now he looks too robotic – and that is probably because of the pressure that he is under at Anfield, which is a complete kettle of fish compared to what he experienced at Benfica,” Collymore told Caught Offside.

“He just does not look confident, composed or relaxed, even if his goal output is not as bad as many people make it out to be. The longer that this pressure remains, the harder it will become for him, and it has already started to affect his decision-making on the pitch, and especially in front of goal.

“Nunez has definitely been affected by his Liverpool experience, and I think that he should leave – simply put, he is not up to the standards needed at Liverpool, which can be very unforgiving.”

Asked who Liverpool should target as an upgrade, the controversial pundit had no hestitation in naming Alexander Isak as his top choice, even suggesting a swap deal could be beneficial for all parties.

Nunez glad to escape Liverpool drama

Explaining his logic over a possible swap between Isak and Nunez, Collymore continued: “Isak would be a massive upgrade on Nunez. His all-round play is what Liverpool need in a striker, and in my opinion, I think it could benefit Newcastle to take Nunez.

“There is certainly a player in there, but he is not someone that can handle player for a club like Liverpool that brings so much scrutiny and pressure. He would be a really good fit at Newcastle, and their supporters would love him