Liverpool's Darwin Nunez 'couldn't take it anymore' during lowest ebb of career

"I couldn't take it anymore and I wanted to leave."

On hearing these words, you might assume Darwin Nunez is contemplating his departure from Liverpool, given the rocky journey he's had in his career with the Reds. It's a reality that he has been under supreme scrutiny recently after an underwhelming season end that saw him dropped from the starting roster, facing mounting criticism.

A missed opportunity during Liverpool's triumph over Tottenham in early May sparked widespread chatter when, amidst virtual backlash, he deleted all Liverpool-related posts on Instagram, restricted commenting, and blocked several Twitter users. Furthermore, he later spoke openly about his encounters with online abuse.

READ MORE: Liverpool sent Darwin Nunez and Luis Suarez message as Arne Slot 'needs three new signings'
READ MORE: Liverpool could sign ideal Darwin Nunez competition for free if transfer gamble pays off

Since then, there's always been an air of uncertainty surrounding his future at Anfield, irrespective of reports that Liverpool have no intention of letting him go. New manager Arne Slot, known for his successful track record in turning around forward players' careers, is reportedly eager to work with Nunez.

Thankfully, the quotation in question, taken from the Premier Leagues most recent Ask Me Anything episode, refers to a past ordeal. It recounts Nunez's difficult time after tearing his ACL as a teenager while playing for Penerol in his home country of Uruguay, already battling homesickness after joining the Montevideo-based club.

"It happened to me when I was 19," he recalled to Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz. "I thought I would never be able to carry on playing football. My knee, I was injured for a year and a half. I couldn't take it anymore and I wanted to leave."

This revelation came out as the trio were discussing their greatest fears in response to questions submitted by supporters, after Mac Allister revealed that his was "not being able to play football anymore, due to an accident or an injury".

Nunez's response to the same question provides some potential insight into his future with Liverpool. "Failure really hurts, doesn't it? " he concurred with Diaz's view that "failing at what you do, at what you aspire or dream to do" was his own biggest fear.

Such an open admission does spark curiosity about how Nunez views his career at the Reds so far, and its implications on any decisions about his future. Since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2022, the Uruguayan has been under scrutiny.

Despite being plagued with intermittent injuries over the past two seasons, Nunez, at times, has been unstoppable, boasting 33 goals and 17 assists in 96 appearances. However, there have also been moments of noticeable wastefulness in front of the goal.

He's missed a whopping 46 big chances in the Premier League during his time with the Reds, only outdone by Erling Haaland who has missed 62. However, Haaland's misses are offset by his impressive tally of 63 Premier League goals and two league titles.

There's a lot of debate about whether Nunez can fulfil his potential at Liverpool, or if it's time for the Reds to consider cutting their losses. After all, strikers who don't hit the mark usually don't last more than two seasons at Anfield, with many leaving even sooner. Currently on duty with Uruguay at Copa America, he'll miss most of new head coach Slot's first pre-season at Liverpool.

Nunez is far from a Liverpool failure, though if his Reds career was cut short prematurely, that's perhaps how he would be remembered. The 24-year-old is feeling the sting and has something to prove. And he's a fighter, made of different stuff. If he had succumbed to homesickness or injury at Penerol, he would have followed through on his early desire to leave. If he had left Benfica after a challenging first season, he would never have secured his big-money move to Liverpool.

While it might be tempting to throw in the towel, that would mean admitting defeat and succumbing to the forward's greatest fear. Whether Nunez is ready to make such a decision is something only he can answer, but his personal history strongly suggests otherwise.