When Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica in the summer of 2022, it was their belief they had beaten at least one major domestic rival to his signature, said to be Manchester United.

While United were also in for the Uruguay international at the same time, the Reds were made to forcibly nudge ahead of Atletico Madrid once it became clear Sadio Mane would be leaving and that Nunez had been decided as the best man to replace the then Bayern Munich-bound attacker.

The now 24-year-old first landed on Liverpool's radar in the spring of that year with their manager Jurgen Klopp said to have "fallen in love" with the powerful striker during analysis meetings ahead of a Champions League quarter-final tie with Benfica.

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During the tie itself, Nunez wasted little time proving Klopp's points, pouncing on a mistake at the back before clinically finishing past Alisson Becker in a game the Reds won 3-1 in Lisbon.

It was in the return leg at Anfield where Nunez really started to announce himself to the Liverpool fanbase, however.

in the fifth minute of stoppage time, and for a third time in the game, Nunez slid another past Alisson before the flag was again raised.

A goal contribution every 77 minutes in the Premier League, prior to Saturday's 10-minute cameo at West Ham United, is a heartening statistic for those who champion his ability, and there is little doubt that his pace and power are raw materials that can be worked with.

The question now, however, is with Nunez about to lose his biggest supporter at the club in Klopp, what will be in store for the Reds star when a bold new era begins under sporting director Richard Hughes and new 'head coach' Arne Slot?

The fact Liverpool also turned down a reported approach from Chelsea last summer was further indication that they see Nunez as a long-term project but sizable improvements can still be made.

By the summer Nunez will be a third into his six-year deal and with his appearance-based add-ons having now cost Liverpool a club-record-equalling sum of £75m, there will still be ample appetite for him to succeed.
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