Darwin Núñez’s time at Liverpool has officially come to an end. A journey that began with huge dreams, wild expectations, and moments of pure chaos has finally closed with a move that few could have predicted when he first walked into Anfield. On Saturday, the Uruguayan striker sealed a three-year deal with Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal, in a transfer worth €53 million (£46.3m). At just 26 years old, Núñez leaves behind not only his Liverpool shirt but also the endless debates, the missed chances, the electric goals, and the unshakable question — was he a fan favourite, a flop, or somehow both
The story of Darwin Núñez at Liverpool is not a simple one. He was signed in June 2022 from Benfica for an initial £64 million, a deal that could have risen to £85m with add-ons. At the time, Liverpool had just lost Sadio Mané to Bayern Munich and were desperate for a fresh weapon in attack. Núñez had terrorised defences in Portugal, scoring 34 goals in 41 games for Benfica in 2021-22, including two goals against Liverpool in the Champions League. Jürgen Klopp was convinced he was the man to lead the new era. Liverpool fans welcomed him like a king. The hype was real.
And for a moment, it seemed he would live up to it. Núñez scored in back-to-back games at the start of his Liverpool career. But then came his first major crack — his home debut against Crystal Palace. In a moment of madness, he headbutted Joachim Andersen and was sent off. It was a red card that would stick to his name for months, maybe years. Klopp called him a “work in progress”, and that became the story of his Liverpool life
Over three seasons, Núñez played 143 games for Liverpool, scoring 40 goals. The numbers don’t sound bad, but the details tell a different story. In the Premier League, he managed 25 goals in 95 appearances — but 46 of those appearances came from the bench. He was often more of a substitute than a starter. Last season, even as Liverpool won the title, he started just eight league games and scored seven goals in all competitions.
But Núñez’s Liverpool career wasn’t just about numbers. It was about moments — moments that made fans scream in joy and in frustration. There was the unforgettable August 2023 night at St James’ Park, when 10-man Liverpool were heading for defeat against Newcastle. Núñez came off the bench and scored twice late on to turn the game around. There was the 99th-minute winner against Nottingham Forest in March 2024. There were two stoppage-time goals against Brentford in January this year. And yes, there were the shots that smacked the post, the ones that flew over, the chances that seemed impossible to miss but somehow were.
Núñez’s ability to create chaos was both his magic and his curse. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher famously nicknamed him “Captain Chaos”. Defenders never knew what he would do next, but sometimes neither did his own teammates. He could be breathtaking one minute and baffling the next.
After Klopp left in the summer of 2024, new head coach Arne Slot gave Núñez chances early on. But their relationship began to strain. One turning point came in February 2025 against Aston Villa. Núñez missed a golden chance early in the game. Slot later said it wasn’t the miss that bothered him, but how Núñez reacted. “Players miss chances — that I can accept,” Slot explained. “What I found harder to accept was his behaviour after that chance. It got too much in his head. He wasn’t the usual Darwin who works his butt off for the team.” Those words were heavy. In many ways, they marked the beginning of the end.
By the close of the 2024-25 season, Núñez had slipped down the pecking order. Liverpool had already moved in the transfer market, signing French forward Hugo Ekitike for £79m and smashing their club record with a £116m deal for German playmaker Florian Wirtz. With Alexander Isak also on their radar and Newcastle rejecting a £110m opening bid, the writing was on the wall for Núñez.
His sale to Al-Hilal brings in cash that could help Liverpool push harder for Isak. Many fans see it as a smart move — if the Isak deal happens. If it doesn’t, there is fear Liverpool may be light in attack.
But why didn’t it work out for Núñez at Liverpool? The statistics are brutal. He had the lowest shot conversion rate (11.1%) among Liverpool’s forwards over the past three seasons. His expected goals (xG) underperformance was -8.5, the worst among the team’s attackers. In the Premier League since 2022-23, only Dominic Calvert-Lewin has underperformed xG more than Núñez. Among the top 10 players with the most ‘big chances’, Núñez had the poorest conversion rate — just 23.6%. These numbers told the story many already felt: he got into brilliant positions, but too often failed to finish.
And yet, despite this, there was love for him. Real, passionate love. Anfield regulars, the ones who sang his name and saw his efforts up close, couldn’t help but respect the way he fought for every ball. His emotional vulnerability was there for all to see. You could read his mood on his face. When things went badly, you could see how much it hurt him. And when things went well, his celebrations were pure fire.
Jordan Chamberlain from Empire of the Kop summed it up: “If Darwin had the composure to match his physical ability, we’d be talking about the best striker on the planet. He’s ferociously quick, powerful, and he works hard. That’s why Klopp wanted him. But despite getting into great positions, he couldn’t finish enough of them. His fragility made fans love him — but it also held him back.”
There were games that showed both sides of Núñez perfectly. Against Chelsea in the 2023-24 season, he hit the woodwork four times in a single game — a Premier League record. It was comical, heartbreaking, and somehow very Darwin. Over his time in England, he hit the post or bar 14 times — more than any other player.
Now he heads to Saudi Arabia, joining a growing list of stars tempted by the huge salaries and different lifestyle. For Núñez, it’s a chance to reset, to be the main man again, and to leave behind the constant debate over whether he was good enough for Liverpool. For Liverpool, it’s the end of an experiment that never quite reached full success but still left memories that will be told for years.
At his farewell, Liverpool released a short statement: “Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future.” Simple, respectful, and perhaps a little bittersweet.
Darwin Núñez’s story at Liverpool will be remembered for its contradictions. He was loved and doubted at the same time. He scored some of the most dramatic winners in recent club history, but also missed chances that haunted him. He was a £64m gamble that didn’t fully pay off, but still gave Liverpool moments they’ll never forget.
For some, he was a flop. For others, a cult hero. Maybe the truth is somewhere in between. But one thing is certain — when Darwin Núñez played, you could never look away
