Darwin NUNEZ: 2024/25

This is the common get out of jail card for these sorts of players, but they already have Griezeman, Sorloth, Alvarez and Simeoneā€™s own son who is becoming increasingly important all playing as forwards

Thatā€™s what Iā€™m wondering, but at the same time, surely there has to be some interest.

We already know that if we sold tomorrow, weā€™re going to lose money, but thatā€™s also not saying much as he cost a lot. And itā€™s not like it looks like it will drastically change soon. And from next summer on, heā€™d have 3 years left on his deal.

Thatā€™s why I said exactly what Pearce is saying today, a decision is possibly around the corner. Could be next summer or in 2026. If he really gets to 2026 and thereā€™s no serious overall progression, 4 seasons is more than enough to conclude that this is not working and au revoir.

Itā€™s a natural topic especially with new people at the club, a new coaching staff, as we look to evolve further. Itā€™s certainly not good enough that we can sleep calmly and give Nunez time until 2028. If he was a success, weā€™d likely be talking about a new/improved contract.

There might be an acceptance from all sides to find a buyer and move on. Us from a fee point of view (whatā€™s the minimum weā€™d accept for him), and him from a level point of view.

Could be a side that is going to lose a striker soon, a side that plays two up top, a side where there is less tactical demands in all phases of the game, or simply a side more or less below Liverpoolā€™s level.

Itā€™s also certainly not the first time that a side is doing really well in all competitions, on course to have a successful season, but you have a player that is not performing well enough and with big question marks whether he deserves being here for the future.

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As long as he is our player, we should support him imo. YNWA and all that.

https://x.com/Darwinn99/status/1866829579152924784

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And he is getting that support, also where it matters most, on the pitch.

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The thing is, assuming we extend Mo, Virgil, and Trent, Darwin is really the most obvious way for Slot to really stamp his personality on the side after a season of getting to know the players he inherited, which is what makes me think Darwin is playing for his future over the next half season.

I mean, if we take Salahā€™s words as translated in the Reddit link above, then I donā€™t think the above holds as true as you think it does.

Itā€™s possible yeah, that he has this season to convince the coaching staff and not until the summer (or year) of 2026.

It might be partly dependant on what happens to the mentioned trio, how much would it cost replacing and improving where we plan to, regardless of them.

Sometimes you donā€™t need the same or high amount of money to replace certain players. There are different ways.

But itā€™s a position we cannot ignore for too long, because itā€™s important, itā€™s a spine position, itā€™s not only goals and assists, the shape has changed to a single striker and itā€™s not like it looks like Jota or Diaz can be the ā€œmain guyā€ for us up top.

And this is also connected to life post-Salah, whether he leaves or signs a new deal. In either case, he wonā€™t be here for many years to come.

The chances are higher that we will find a more functional and successful central striker than someone who will come in and do what Salah did, from his first moment at the club up until now (and itā€™s also not the only way to replace Salah in a quality way, but heā€™s still comfortably our main goalscorer).

Solving the striker issue soon will help us in our future post-Salah.

This hits the nail on the head as Josh said last season he was a big advocate of Nunez and was one of the reasons I always hoped/felt that Darwin would come good.

https://www.youtube.com/live/BXXP2PMZ4Ns?si=ix2Hpn--2HhiT-l0

This season I agree with the comment, ā€œwhere can Liverpool get better/improveā€ and for me it is CF

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Keep calm.

& hand Darwin his new contract!

Bloke knows he isnā€™t doing the job on the pitch. Think itā€™s partly whatā€™s causing him to snatch at things even more as heā€™s the type to let that kind of thing get in his head.

If he thinks the fans arenā€™t behind him, Jota gets picked ahead of him consistently when heā€™s back and rumours of us looking at other options get into his head then he may well start thinking about pastures new himself. Personally think that might be the best for all involved.

Big question is who and how much? Sure someone will think they could get a tune out of him in the right system but just depends whether any of them have deep enough pockets.

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Donā€™t know what the body language experts detected when he was taken off last night, there was nothing special to remark in my opinion.

We know he didnā€™t play well, he knows he didnā€™t play well, if he looked like he lacks a bit of confidenceā€¦ itā€™s all natural.

Not too different to when he was taken off against Bologna after an hour or so, when he also had a very weak performance, probably our worst performer on the night. But that was at home so there was his usual chant and he clapped the crowd back.

Perhaps thereā€™s just more attention now as the season progresses and he will naturally be more talked about.

Fans have the right to debate or criticize, as well as sing praises or whatever. Especially off the pitch and in non-direct online communication between themselves.

Online or any kind of abuse is definitely not right. But when you donā€™t perform at such a vastly followed club, unfortunately itā€™s part of the game for everyone, soā€¦ better learn how to deal with it (and I guess a big part of it is ignoring).

That is also what you need to have to be a success at this level.

Maybe when you donā€™t perform, you canā€™t help it but have a peek and see what are people saying?

If he wants to come out with a bit of reaction to that, thatā€™s also just fine. But online you simply cannot win, no matter how right you may be and when he doesnā€™t play well, perhaps itā€™s smartest to keep quiet, head down and try to do better at the next opportunity.

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The social posting reeks of Thiago and almost feels a ā€˜strategyā€™ for players who arenā€™t playing/playing well to curry favour. Iā€™m oldskool like @cynicaloldgit and prefer players who only do their talking on the pitch and off it keep to local charity work.

First ever use of the phrase: ā€œoldskool like @cynicaloldgitā€?

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And the last.

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Could see Atletico make a move for him and I think he would be banging the goals in for fun in Spain.

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Why?

Like I believe they use the same goals and the same VAR system.

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Iā€™m wondering whether we can use Darwin in midfield. With his size, strength, pace and aggression he could be a game changer. Flip side is he doesnā€™t know the positioning nuances and could be a liability

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The difference between when Darwin came on and Jota was stark. Heā€™s just not working and needs to be moved on.

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Mind you, he provided the assist today for Jotaā€™s goal

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That is laughable he doesnā€™t have the skills for a midfielder!!!

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