Liverpool’s fanbase released a sigh of relief as Darwin Nunez headed to the corner of the Gtech Community Stadium, final whistle blown, to applaud the travelling faithful.
He’s fired an emphatic brace past Mark Flekken to hand Liverpool another three points to further consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League, especially so after Arsenal blew a two-goal lead to draw against Aston Villa later that evening.
Whether Arne Slot has full faith in the Uruguay international is up for question. Perhaps it isn’t, actually. Nunez has only started seven top-flight fixtures this term as his lack of potency continues.
With clubs supposedly keen on taking him off the Dutchman’s hands, might this be the final phase of a fan favourite’s career on Merseyside?
The latest on Darwin Nunez's future at Liverpool
Last week, it was reported that Liverpool had rejected a mammoth bid from a club in the Saudi Pro League for the transfer of Nunez.
The Athletic have since revealed that this is not the case, but eyes have been directed the 25-year-old’s way and there’s a sense that pieces could be moved on the board this summer.
It’s understood that any present interest in Liverpool’s club-record signing will be deflected until the end of the 2024/25 campaign, with Slot unwilling to lose a match-winning cog at the season’s midpoint. It is all, after all, on the line for the Anfield group.
However, Nunez’s double against Brentford hardly negates the months of fruitless toil that have wedged division between him and success, limiting him to a bit-part role.
Liverpool need a more reliable source, a Salah-esque source from the centre.
There is a name, you must whisper it quietly – but if it comes true, it would be the most incredible capture for an outfit heading back to the very top.
Liverpool chasing new centre-forward
Earlier this week, Football Transfers revealed that Liverpool are in the running for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, who has been in inspired form this season.
The Sweden striker is attracting significant interest from Europe’s pre-eminent outfits, especially after Eddie Howe was coy on his long-term future last Autumn, with Isak supposedly hesitant to extend his stay at St. James’ Park.
Securing his prized signature would not be easy, however, with Arsenal desperate for a centre-forward too and Newcastle fielding enquiries worth more than £150m.
The bank would have to be broken, that’s for sure.
Transfer Focus
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Imagine Alexander Isak at Liverpool
Isak would be the gold standard, to be sure. Described as an “absolute nightmare” for defenders by Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer, the £120k-per-week talent would add so much to the Liverpool frontline.
He’s like Nunez in terms of energy and tenacity but differs greatly in front of goal, ice-cold and deadly.
1.
Mohamed Salah
21
18 (0.87)
2.
Erling Haaland
22
17 (0.79)
3.
Alexander Isak
20
15 (0.83)
4.
Chris Wood
22
14 (0.72)
4=
Cole Palmer
22
14 (0.65)
Liverpool have produced their fair share of elite goalscorers over the years, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Suarez as two modern options.
Before that though, there was Fernando Torres, adored by the Liverpool family and part of an iconic duo, the one and only Steven Gerrard being the other half.
Gerrard was the ultimate midfielder, so complete, so refined, so influential. Liverpool’s greatest-ever player (subjectively) played with many great forwards, but Torres probably takes the cake when considering how electric the pairing was together.
Gerrard once hailed Torres for his “world-class” ability, notching 101 goal contributions from 142 appearances as a Liverpool striker.
Gerrard was the creative custodian of El Nino’s goals, feeding them through with devastating precision. They operated in flux, all muscle memory and innate intuition. It’s something that Liverpool might never replicate again, such was the nature of the unique partnership.
However, Slot could give it a good go by bringing Isak into the fold, with the Swede’s style perfectly suited to the up-and-coming Harvey Elliott who dazzled in the Champions League just a few nights ago.
We’ve all met frustration regarding Elliott’s playing time this season – or lack thereof. An unfortunate injury shackled the England U21 star to the sidelines for the early knockings of the campaign, but he’s been fit and firing since November yet limited to a bit-part role.
The youngster might not have the same roundedness as Gerrard but the little magician has confirmed that his esteemed countryman is his idol and that he attempts to model his game from the legend’s own.
While he’s been used sparingly this term, Elliott still has the world at his feet and makes waves each time Slot introduces him in the second half.
The level of his ability is non-negotiable at the debate table, with three goals and six assists across just 11 Premier League starts last season, as per Sofascore. You can see that he has a variegated approach to his attacking play that would allow for a give-and-take relationship with Isak, who enjoys the playmaking side of the number nine role himself.
Howe has described Isak as a “world-class” striker and it’s hard to argue against it. If Liverpool were to secure one of their most significant signings in history, he’d be sure to prosper for an age.
With a creative force like Elliott behind him, Liverpool might just have their next Gerrard-Torres duo under Slot’s wing. It would be something else.
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