Darwin Nunez transfer interest could force Liverpool's hand as next major decision weighed up

Darwin Nunez's decision to delete his social media posts relating to Liverpool has set tongues wagging.

The Reds striker was a second-half substitute in Sunday's 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur before taking the call to remove all pictures about his time on Merseyside to date.

Here, the ECHO's Liverpool FC writers what should happen next where the big-money striker is concerned.

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Stick or twist? Transfer interest might make Liverpool's decision for them

Paul Gorst: As far as Darwin Nunez goes, the raw materials for a top-class striker are there for all to see.

Unfortunately, though, the shortcomings are just visible and nearly two years on from his signing that has become a club-record-equalling one of £75m - with the potential for it to rise further to £85m - it's only fair that big questions are not being asked.

With 31 goal contributions this season, it appears at first glance that Nunez has enjoyed an impressive sophomore term at Anfield having registered 19 in his maiden campaign, but that figure could - and should - be significantly higher than it is.

Few players have enjoyed the unwavering support of the Kop like Nunez, whose name has been chanted vociferously after incidents as mundane as winning throw-ins and closing down defenders. Understandably there's been a willingness for him to succeed and that has been obvious since he made his Anfield debut in August 2022.

But as the goals have dried up - it's now just two since the start of March - the missed chances, the rash finishes and the panicked snatches have become more difficult to digest, particularly as the team's fortunes plummeted during an abject April.

The deleting of the social media images that were Reds-related suggest a player feeling the brunt of what is almost certain to have been criticism that has sadly manifested as online abuse but he has never had anything less than full backing of those who visit the ground most weeks.

Two years on, however, the issue is whether he can truly develop into the world-class centre-forward those at Liverpool felt he could be when they broke the bank to sign him from Benfica. The evidence that he can is becoming tougher to spot and a major decision could now await the new power axis of Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and Arne Slot.

Stick or twist? A return of anything near the initial fee paid out to sign him could see Liverpool opt for the latter.

The goodwill has largely waned for Nunez from supporters

Ian Doyle: Christian Benteke lasted a season. Mario Balotelli likewise. Dean Saunders managed just over a year. Andy Carroll about 18 months. Djibril Cisse had two campaigns but was injured for most of the first one. Stan Collymore had two years. Robbie Keane, though, was given about six months.

When a big-money striker signing fails at Liverpool, they simply do not make it into a third year. Which brings us to the decision Arne Slot may have to make over Darwin Nunez, regardless of whether or not the Uruguayan agitates for a move after his clear show of discontent following a poor cameo against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

In terms of numbers at Liverpool, Nunez has far outstripped those aforementioned forwards with the exception of Collymore, whose tally of 35 goals and 16 assists in his two seasons is almost matched by Nunez's 33 goals and 17 assists.

And, in some respects, there is a comparison to be made between Collymore and Nunez, with both undoubted talents that Liverpool haven't quite managed to fully unlock. There is also a turbulence to their Reds careers, albeit for differing reasons.

Jurgen Klopp simply hasn't been able to get the best out of Nunez. Slot might believe he can, but will surely know what to expect when he steps in at Anfield.

Nunez has been a crowd favourite with his endeavour and clear desire to win. But that can only take a player so far, especially for a team chasing major honours. The goodwill has largely waned.

In truth, if Slot decides Nunez isn't a player around whom his attack can occasionally be built, Liverpool have to cash in immediately while they can still garner a good price for the 24-year-old. Otherwise, the debate over Nunez must stop - and the Uruguayan simply be accepted as one of many forwards on which the new manager can call upon next season.

Hard to see how Nunez becomes the player he was billed to be

Tom Cavilla: It is becoming increasingly difficult to defend Darwin Nunez, who continues to split opinion for good reason.

The 24-year-old has been struggling in front of goal for several weeks now, his most damaging miss arriving in last month's Merseyside derby defeat at Goodison Park.

Unlike the Uruguayan in this part of the pitch Liverpool supporters used to worship, Nunez has all the madness of Luis Suarez with none of the conviction.

Supporters believed the current campaign would be the year the former Benfica star showed the division just why he was brought to Merseyside. Instead, it has left fans pondering how the club could move him on after only two seasons.

Nunez’s 15-minute cameo against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday told the story of his Liverpool career to date, missing a brilliant one-on-one chance having moments before been flagged for offside having failed to time his run. No Premier League player has been caught offside on more occasions than the Reds’ No.9 in 2023/24.

There was another moment where Nunez tripped over the ball before winning a free-kick seconds later, once again highlighting his chaotic style of play that is becoming less enjoyable to watch by the week.

In June of last year, I argued Nunez was under pressure to deliver for the Reds this term. Put simply, that hasn’t happened. Erling Haaland, rather surprisingly, has missed more big chances than Nunez this season, but the Manchester City star still finds a way to get on the scoresheet each week. That is the difference.