Liverpool opted against significant first-team investment after Jurgen Klopp packed his bags and put an end to his Anfield dynasty last summer.
One of the esteemed coach’s final acts, in typically larger-than-life fashion, was to bellow his successor’s name into a mic, Liverpool having finished the 2023/24 Premier League season in third place, and as Carabao Cup champions.
“Arne Slot,” the manager roared, and Liverpool’s fans echoed his rallying cry. It was the end of an era, an illustrious period of sustained success that saw the Reds win the whole gamut after several interminable seasons of disappointment, languishing below their rightful place among the big boys.
Klopp’s decision has been vindicated. Slot has won the Premier League in his first term at the helm, so dominant, taking the team left to him and shaping it into something greater.
Now, though, it is time for first-team investment. The pieces are being moved well ahead of the summer transfer window, and though fans anticipate a raft of exciting arrivals, some departures are needed too.
Darwin Nunez chief among them.
Why Liverpool must sell Darwin Nunez
While the thought of Florian Wirtz driving a Nunez resurgence is tantalising, it’s probably not going to happen.
The Uruguay international, 25, has just completed his third campaign in a Liverpool shirt, and it was probably his least productive yet.
When Nunez arrived in July 2022 for a fee rising to a club-record £85m, he arrived to much fanfare. Here was a robust, athletic and deadly forward who scored 34 goals from 41 matches in his final season for the Portuguese giants.
But he’s failed to make it work in the Premier League. Here’s a statistic: Nunez has only scored 25 goals in the English top flight, featuring 95 times and avoiding any serious stretch in the infirmary.
24/25
47
7
7
23/24
54
18
15
22/23
42
15
4
Klopp’s tactics are perhaps characterised by their chaos. Nunez, then, embodies some of the German’s core principles, but Slot’s businesslike approach has led to a regression, with the boss even stating in February that he “can’t accept” Nunez’s work-rate.
While the £140k-per-week talent’s time on Merseyside has been defined by wastefulness, this hasn’t really been the case this term. Instead, he’s been reduced to a small part in the grand play, scoring only seven goals across all competitions and starting but once in the Premier League since Boxing Day.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Liverpool’s plan is to part ways with the record man, and all parties welcome the prospect. With Saudi suitors interested, Liverpool might just find they can sign a suitable replacement to add to the exciting rebuild Richard Hughes is currently fronting.
Liverpool want to sign a new striker
As per Spanish reports, Liverpool are ready to challenge Newcastle United for Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro, who is ready to leave the south coast club this summer.
The clubs in question are ready to meet Brighton’s €70m (£58m) demands, both eager to take the lead in the race.
Despite earlier reports to the contrary, transfer insider Ben Jacobs claims Chelsea are not actively pursuing a move, only enhancing Liverpool’s chances of getting a deal done.
What Joao Pedro would bring to Liverpool
Newcastle’s success in qualifying for the Champions League after Aston Villa were controversially beaten at Old Trafford surely ends Anfield’s hopes of signing Alexander Isak this summer, with PIF set to demand north of £150m for his sale.
Joao Pedro, conversely, is expected to leave the AMEX, and for a far smaller figure at that. The Brazil forward has been a success since joining Brighton from Championship side Watford in 2023, a deal that narrowly missed the £30m mark.
Across 70 appearances for the Seagulls, the 23-year-old has scored 30 goals and supplied ten assists. However, he’s not defined by his goal metrics, promising though they may be, with Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard hailing his “really magical” quality on the ball.
Beaten by Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch to the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award, he’s got the physicality and technical ability to become a star under Slot’s wing, smoothly replacing Nunez at number nine.
As per Sofascore, Joao Pedro has only missed 16 big chances across his two top-flight campaigns at Brighton, scoring 19 goals and supplying nine assists. He’s only started 42 matches during this period.
The foundations have been laid, and now Slot can welcome this rising star into his brood and take him to the next level, providing the title winners with a new focal frontman who can provide a richer goal threat while maintaining a dynamic, multi-faceted approach to benefit the likes of Wirtz and Mohamed Salah, among others.
Nunez’s day is done, but in his place, Liverpool can sign a striker capable of proving an upgrade while echoing some of the South American’s finer qualities.
But there’s no denying that Joao Pedro is a sharper and more complete version, as the table below highlights.
Goals
0.40
0.46
Assists
0.16
0.28
Shots taken
2.70
1.94
Shot-creating actions
2.46
3.33
Touches
29.07
43.43
Touches (att pen)
5.88
5.64
Progressive passes
2.14
3.60
Progressive carries
1.83
3.05
Successful take-ons
0.64
1.34
Tkl + Int
1.99
1.16
As you can see, Nunez pales in comparison to the Brighton man, who has yet to reach his potential and already has showcased high-level qualities in the Premier League.
It’s time for change. Nunez will leave Liverpool with the goodwill of the fanbase, but he must indeed depart – especially if a deal for a player like Joao Pedro is in the pipeline.
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ByAngus Sinclair May 24, 2025
