The current international window began with a bang.
Darwin Nunez, 26, went off on international duty with Uruguay – declaring just how much he missed Liverpool’s fans. Now it’s fair to say the relationship between the striker and the club’s supporters was strained at times but absence makes the heart grow fonder.
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“I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss the Liverpool fans. They made my family and me feel very welcome,” Darwin told AUF TV via ESPN.
“During difficult times I went through personally, people always showed me that affection and support, which was very important to me. Obviously, I miss them.”
There is a crucial context to all of this. Darwin hasn’t played a league game for Al-Hilal since the opening days of February. After signing for the Saudi giants last summer for around £46m Nunez has since been frozen out of the domestic squad.
It’s led to speculation that the former Liverpool No9 could soon be returning to Europe – admittedly with a hefty pay cut from his current reported total of £400k per week.
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Tottenham and Newcastle among Premier League clubs have been reported as interested. But should this be a fight that Liverpool get involved in?
Should Liverpool fight for Darwin return?
They say “never go back” but time and distance have served to show just exactly what Liverpool are missing since Darwin left.
Arne Slot’s side look slow and ponderous in attack – something they could never be accused of when the Uruguay frontman was clattering about.
His goalscoring composure deserted him during the Premier League title-winning season but if he were to return it might not be as a No9. Nunez is capable of filling in out wide – and could easily provide a better alternative to the one-paced Cody Gakpo out there.
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British audiences got a little cameo of Nunez earlier this week when he came on as a substitute for Marcelo Bielsa’s national team against England at Wembley.
Nunez returns to Wembley
He characteristically put himself about in the closing stages and was on hand to wind up the England fans following Federico Valverde’s late equaliser from the penalty spot. In all honesty it was great to see him back.
Darwin was involved in an emotional reunion with Jordan Henderson at the final whistle – and one can only ponder what they were speaking about. It would be next to impossible to imagine FSG and Richard Hughes completing a big-money deal for Darwin.
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