Liverpool ready to sign “magical” £54m Nunez upgrade

Girona have been crushed on Tuesday evening. It wasn’t classic, however then Liverpool have oft chugged by means of matches in a gear not thrust to its max this time period.

Ah effectively. Not the tip of the world. In any case, the victory in Spain has prolonged Liverpool’s excellent document within the Champions League group part and bypassed a pesky extra knockout spherical.

And that is solely in Europe. Such is Arne Slot‘s brilliance that rivals chortle at supposedly ‘middling’ performances within the Premier League. Oh positive, Liverpool aren’t blowing groups away like a winter gale by means of fallen autumn leaves, not each week, however the Reds perch in first place with the midpoint drawing close to, 4 factors clear and with a recreation in hand at that.

There may be at all times room for enchancment, and Slot’s discontent after his aspect stumbled by means of their midweek match was patent: the Dutch coach needs perfection, and regardless of the exceptional outcomes, he is removed from happy.

Such is Slot’s brilliance, and his college for elite success down Anfield Street over many, a few years. He can be determined so as to add his personal aptitude to the squad although, particularly after a quiet summer season switch window, and is bound to be taking a look at quantity 9.

A change at quantity 9

Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool in a deal that could rise to a club-record £85m in 2022, having beforehand accomplished a prolific season with Benfica that noticed him rating twice in opposition to Jurgen Klopp‘s Merseysiders.

The place to start? We might talk about advert nauseam the wastefulness, the erratic on-pitch character that leaves observers squeezing their eyes shut in frustration. We might discuss all day. Three goals in his last 30 appearances for the membership, one in his previous ten.

There is a great participant in there, and we’re handled to flashes. Factor is, although, Liverpool have misplaced one thing in Bobby Firmino that Nunez has struggled to return to the Liverpool aspect – and that is to not his detriment.

Firmino was an unforgettable and distinctive expertise, silky-smooth and deftly clever, all balletic motions and flicked passes. ‘Defensive striker’, they known as him, however Firmino was the lifeblood, made all of it tick. Moulded Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane into world-beating superstars.

Check out Firmino’s last Premier League marketing campaign compared in opposition to Nunez’s present time period within the English high flight. Not convincing. Nunez is now 25 and in his third yr with the membership.

He is likeable, tenacious and pleasant on his day, however such days are discovered inside a stream of inconsistency and Slot, already proven himself ruthless, will certainly transfer for a brand new striker in 2025, ought to issues fail to enhance.

Liverpool taking a look at Nunez improve

Concrete rumours are briefly provide at this stage of the season, particularly with Richard Hughes and FSG targeted on resolving the overhanging contract conundrums.

Even so, glances can be forged on the future market, and according to Brazilian outlet UOL, Liverpool are getting ready to open talks with Brighton & Hove Albion for his or her rising star Joao Pedro.

Joao Pedro, 23, has been in glorious type for the high-flying Seagulls this season, and Slot is believed to personally have advocated for his potential function on the entrance of the ship.

As per Spanish sources, Arsenal are additionally and are on the point of launch a €65m (£54m) bid for the Brazilian, so Liverpool might want to open talks swiftly within the new yr.

What Joao Pedro would carry to Liverpool

In June 2023, Joao Pedro signed for Brighton in a club-record £30m move, having made his identify for Watford and excelled within the Championship through the 2022/23 season.

Whereas he is nonetheless younger, the versatile ahead has loads of high quality and would definitely stand likelihood of creating a optimistic impression in Slot’s Liverpool aspect.

Final season, in his debut marketing campaign on the South Coast, he posted 20 goals across 40 matches, translating and constructing upon that type over the previous a number of months, scoring four goals and assisting three more over 9 Premier League fixtures in Hurzeler’s system.

The 5 foot 11 star is dynamic and athletically expert, and within the Premier League this season, he ranks among the many high 5% of positional friends for targets scored and the highest 9% for assists, as per FBref, far outstripping Liverpool’s centre-forward, Nunez.

In truth, given his positional flexibility, nifty actions and high-pressing depth, he might even emulate his countryman, Firmino, and function the connecting pressure in Slot’s frontline.

He is no Bobby, however Joao Pedro has been hailed for his “actually magical” model on the grass by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard, along with his glittering qualities positive to bridge that hole and deepen the fluidity of Liverpool’s thriving frontline, bringing a form purpose menace too.

Liverpool have a humiliation of offensive riches, for positive, but it surely’s arduous to say that Nunez is providing essentially the most that could possibly be created from the quantity 9 spot. The Uruguayan should certainly realise that he’s working on borrowed time in the mean time and that he can be ousted if issues fail to enhance.

Joao Pedro is demonstrably scientific within the Premier League, with a multi-faceted skillset that may simply see him turn into the newest celebrity within the making at Liverpool.

They should get this one carried out.

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