He’s Like Suarez: Slot Can Finally Axe Nunez with Liverpool Move for £57m “Gamechanger”
Liverpool’s performance this season has been exceptional. Under the management of Arne Slot, the team has emerged as the Premier League’s standout side, occupying the top spot in the table after 15 games.
The transition from legendary manager Jurgen Klopp to Slot has been remarkably smooth, ensuring continuity and success at Anfield.
From a statistical perspective, Liverpool’s performance has been outstanding. According to Understat, the team boasts the second-highest expected goals (xG) tally, with 33.91, slightly surpassing their actual goals scored.
Defensively, they have also excelled, achieving an impressive expected goals against (xGA) figure of 14.63. Even more notably, they have outperformed this metric by conceding just 11 goals, the best defensive record in the league.
While the team as a whole has been thriving, one of their key players, Darwin Nunez, has struggled to replicate his best form this season.
Darwin Nunez Stats This Season
The current campaign has proven challenging for Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez. Much was expected of him after Liverpool secured his services for an initial fee of £64 million from Benfica, a deal that could eventually rise to £85 million with add-ons. The significant investment naturally placed immense pressure on the forward to deliver.
Despite the high expectations, Nunez has largely underwhelmed since arriving at Anfield. Over 115 appearances for the club, he has managed to score only 32 goals and provide 19 assists, averaging a combined 0.44 goals and assists per game.
Last season hinted at a potential breakthrough for Nunez, as he tallied 11 goals and eight assists in 36 Premier League matches. However, his form has dipped significantly under Arne Slot, with just three goals and two assists in 19 games across all competitions this season.
Liverpool’s backroom staff are likely concerned about their number nine’s struggles, particularly as other attackers have thrived. Mohamed Salah has netted 16 goals, while Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo have contributed nine and eight goals, respectively.
Given the team’s reliance on a strong attacking line, Liverpool may explore the possibility of signing a new centre-forward to strengthen their forward options. Recent weeks have seen the Reds linked with a prolific striker to address their needs.
Liverpool’s Hunt for a Striker
The player under discussion is Sporting CP’s centre-forward, Viktor Gyökeres. According to a November report by Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool are “currently in the race” to sign the Swedish international striker.
Liverpool face stiff competition from Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea for Gyökeres’ signature. The 25-year-old could command a transfer fee of around £57 million.
From a goalscoring perspective, Gyökeres represents a significant upgrade on Darwin Nunez. He has been in sensational form this season, netting 25 goals and providing four assists in just 23 games across all competitions. His overall tally for 2024 exceeds 50 goals, marking a remarkable year for the Sporting forward.
Statistical comparisons between Gyökeres and Liverpool legend Luis Suárez offer an intriguing perspective, as noted by FBref. Suárez, now 37 and playing for Inter Miami in the MLS, scored an impressive 82 goals in 133 appearances for Liverpool. These are benchmarks Gyökeres would undoubtedly aspire to reach.
Gyökeres’ numbers already outshine Suárez’s in some areas. Last season, Suárez averaged 0.94 goals per game, while Gyökeres surpassed this with an average of 1.33. Additionally, Gyökeres boasts a superior expected goals (xG) tally, at 1.09 compared to Suárez’s 0.63.
When comparing these figures to Nunez’s current performance, the gap becomes more evident. In the 2024/25 season, Liverpool’s number nine has averaged just 0.29 goals per game, with an expected goals rate of only 0.3.
| Gyokeres, Suarez & Nunez goal stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stat (per 90) | Gyokeres (2024/25) | Suarez (2024) | Nunez (2024/25) |
| Goals | 1.33 | 0.94 | 0.29 |
| Expected goals | 1.09xG | 0.63xG | 0.3xG |
| Shots on target | 1.56 | 2.21 | 1.01 |
| Goals per shot on target | 0.5 | 0.43 | 0.29 |
| Shot-creating actions | 5.77 | 3.56 | 2.31 |
| Goal-creating actions | 1.01 | 0.94 | 0.29 |
| Stats Source: FBref | |||
Securing Viktor Gyökeres would inject much-needed goals into a Liverpool side currently missing a truly clinical centre-forward. As the statistics suggest, he would be a significant improvement over Darwin Nunez in terms of finishing ability.
Described as a “game changer” by football statistician Statman Dave, Gyökeres could be the perfect addition to help Liverpool maintain their impressive form and sustain their momentum this season.
In other news, Joe Gomez Reveals His “Real” Liverpool Summer Transfer Decision
