Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez covered his mouth on camera has jokingly made a plea to Saudi Arabia about a future transfer and the riches they could offer him. It comes amid suggestions of January interest from the Gulf state which is seemingly far from settled based on new unfolding rumours.

As successful a transition as it has been between Jurgen Klopp's departure as manager and Arne Slot taking up the new head coach role, the one position the Reds have not truly been nailed down has been that of the centre forward. On the right of attack, Mohamed Salah, on the left Cody Gakpo, but up top? That remains anyone's best guess.

Diogo Jota started out under the new coach until his October injury, one that he is only just returning from. The spotlight fell on Nunez to step up but he has failed to do so with six goals all season, then Luis Diaz transitioning from a winger into a central striker has been an experiment of mixed results.

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Following his €100m (£85m) move from Benfica in 2022, 14 goals was the product of a steady start in an unsteady Liverpool team. The season after progress, 17 goals in an improved outfit, all that can be asked for.

Switching coaches can be tough but the level of struggle shown by Nunez in a team that as been netting freely through their other goalscorers is great cause for concern that has prompted new exit links to the Saudi Pro League or even AC Milan.

As the Echo understood in January, any attempt to sign the 25-year-old would be pushed back to the next summer window. With silverware on the line and the last window so recently closed, it comes as a surprise to see the man in question now tease his own exit.

In a video with Pro:Direct Soccer, Nunez and Diaz are discussing teammates' cars. They clarify the former owns five in total with the latter scoffing at the "big money" the Uruguayan earns.

"I need more money," replies Nunez with a wink and smile the camera. Covering his mouth and talking to the presenter, he whispers: "Saudi. Come on Saudi."

The Reds star has a further laugh about the tease whilst mimicking a phone to his ear with his hand, adding: "Ring, ring." Diaz could not help but laugh and clap at the suggestion.

Liverpool are no strangers to seeing their cohort head off to Saudi Arabia in recent seasons. At the height of transfers over there, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho left Nunez and Co. behind to start afresh as Steven Gerrard also became manager of Al-Ettifaq. Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum would follow and even to this day Mohamed Salah continues to be talked about regarding his next step if his Anfield contract is to soon expire.

The consistent factor with those players was that they are or were all in or approaching what should technically be the latter years of their career. However, the Saudi Pro League have displayed their financial might in taking younger talented players. Even those entering their prime as Nunez would be expected to at his age have been targeted.

As claimed in Fabrizio Romano's new report in tandem with the player's joke this Tuesday, two winter offers from Al-Nassr climbed as high as €75m (£62.4m) for Nunez, with add-ons still to come. He says an agreement became 'very close' between all parties involved.

Yet the Reds could not complete the transaction without the guarantee of a replacement at short notice, which is said in this new report to be the real issue behind not doing business rather than lack of a financial understanding or want to sell.