Liverpool fans have been left feeling optimistic this summer after their beloved Reds aggressively tackled the transfer market when the club spent ~£65 million on Uruguayan hitman Darwin Núñez to replace former star man Sadio Mané.
With the blockbuster deal potentially reaching ~£87 million after add-ons, it would constitute the most expensive deal in the club’s history; a notion that club legend Robbie Fowler has labeled a ‘gamble.’
In quotes sourced by the Liverpool Echo, Fowler spoke positively about the deal despite the moment of pause surrounding what the former Benfica star would bring to the table at Anfield in the upcoming 2022-23 Premier League season.
“It is a gamble” #LFC https://t.co/g7yoADMNRG
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) June 30, 2022
“From a Liverpool point of view, they have gone out there to spend money. They’ve lost a player, Sadio Mane, which is disappointing. They got money for him, so they’ve received more money than they’ve spent five [or] six years ago. Probably good business for the club.”
“Let’s be honest, it probably is a bit of a gamble. Any player going into any club is a bit of a gamble. It is a gamble I’m more than happy to take.”
“I think when Liverpool is signing players, the signs and the infrastructure about these players, I think it is relentless. I think what they do, how they look into the player; how his mindset is, how his family life is, and how his life outside of football is, it is all taken into consideration.”
LISBON, PORTUGAL – APRIL 05: Darwin Núñez of S.L. Benfica celebrates after scoring their side’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between SL Benfica and Liverpool FC at Estadio da Luz on April 05, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Fowler also posed the notion that the new Liverpool frontman could be under far more pressure than fellow Premier League new boy Erling Haaland, as the two are set to be hotly-tipped to go toe-to-toe for the Golden Boot this season.
“I know Manchester City is thinking exactly the same thing with Erling Haaland. I hope Nunez does [better than Haaland] in all fairness. But I think he is more of a gamble for Liverpool as opposed to Haaland for Manchester City.”
“Regardless of Haaland being at City, I think they still have other players who can score goals. As much as they are probably similar players, the teams are totally different.”
Given the influence that Mané brought to the table during his fantastic spell at Anfield, Núnez certainly will have big shoes to fill moving forward.
But the Uruguayan can bank on a fantastic goal record during the 2021-22 Liga Portugal season, smashing 26-goals in just 28-appearances.
With Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah either side of him, and the likes of Thiago pulling the strings from midfield, Núñez should take no time at all to have the Kop rocking.
For more on Liverpool, read below
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This article was edited by
Conor Laird.
