WHAT TO MAKE OF INTENSIFYING DARWIN NUNEZ LINKS

This summer was already shaping up to be a huge one for Liverpool. After narrowly missing out on the two biggest prizes, the club needed to reinforce to equip Jürgen Klopp with the requisite tools to go all out again for those two trophies in particular.

Not even a week into the post-season and Sadio Mané’s intentions to move on became clear. The summer transfer window took on even more significance as a result. The Reds were about to lose the second topscorer of the Klopp era.

That the topscorer is running out of contract next summer is another source of concern but the immediate thoughts were on attempting to replace Sadio in this window. Liverpool have so far rejected two low-ball offers from Bayern Munich for the Senegalese superstar.

Reports suggest the Reds would be open to letting Sadio leave on two conditions, firstly for a fee of €50million and then once a replacement had been sourced. It seems the said replacement has been found and it is none other than Benfica hotshot Darwin Nunez.

The figures floating around would see the Uruguayan hitman become Liverpool’s record signing, eclipsing the £75million the Reds paid Southampton for the services of Virgil Van Dijk in 2018. It is certainly an exciting prospect and one many didn’t see coming.

Under owners FSG, Liverpool have steered away from paying exorbitant transfer fees for the most part. They move smart with their money in the transfer market. For them to have signed off on this deal must mean there is supreme confidence within the club that Nunez is the next big thing.

The 22 year old stood out when Jürgen Klopp’s side squared off against the Portuguese side in the quarter finals of the Champions League. He capitalised on Konaté’s miskick to half the deficit in the first leg before proceeding to net a hat trick at Anfield.

Two of those goals were chalked off by VAR for marginal offside calls before he brought out a world class save from Alisson late on as Benfica threatened a late rally. Nunez was a real handful over both legs with his strength, pace, directness and obvious clinical edge infront of goal.

It was telling when Van Dijk name-checked him as one of his top five toughest opponents faced, alongside the likes of Messi and Aguero. He could potentially become one of the best strikers in the world under Jürgen Klopp’s tutelage.

This is the kind of show of strength fans want to see. If this deal gets over the line, not only would Mané have been replaced before he even left, a strong message would be sent out that Liverpool aren’t messing about.

Nunez is one of the most coveted young forwards out there, and the fact that the Reds could be beating arch rivals Manchester United to the punch makes it even sweeter. This is just what the doctor ordered.

A deal like this shows ambition, it shows the club is not willing to stand still or fall away. It shows the club isn’t scared to lose any player as they back themselves to go out there and secure the replacement they need.

It shows the club is ready to go all out for the player Jürgen Klopp wants. It sends a message to Mohamed Salah, as well as the rest of the squad. This club will keep competing and trying to improve. Liverpool is the final destination and not a pit stop for players.

With Nunez turning 23 later this month, he would be joining Luis Diaz (25) and Diogo Jota (25) as a new crop of younger forwards approaching their peak. The club is slowly easing away from the successful era of Mane (30), Firmino (31), Salah (30 next week).