During Liverpool's remarkable march to the 2024/25 Premier League title, one thing stood out above all else: consistency.
From Mohamed Salah to Alexis Mac Allister, the Reds' biggest stars delivered week after week as Arne Slot's side stormed to a record-equaling 20th league crown. Yet amid all that reliability, one player remained impossible to predict: Darwin Núñez.
The Uruguayan brought relentless energy, infectious passion, and an ability to turn matches on their head in an instant.
His dramatic late brace at Brentford to rescue all three points instantly became one of the defining moments of the title-winning campaign, drawing comparisons to his stoppage-time heroics at St James' Park the season prior.
At his best, Núñez was capable of producing moments that few forwards in world football could replicate. At his worst, he could leave supporters wondering how a seemingly routine chance had gone begging. For every spectacular finish, there seemed to be a missed opportunity that looked easier to score.
That unpredictability ultimately defined his Liverpool career. While his work rate and commitment never came into question, his inconsistency in front of goal eventually led both player and club to move on, with Núñez making a high-profile switch to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Now, however, reports suggest the striker is already growing unsettled in Saudi Arabia and would welcome a return to the Premier League. Some have even gone as far as to claim that a reunion with Liverpool appeals to the 26-year-old.
The prospect may sound far-fetched, but it raises an intriguing question. If the opportunity presented itself, should Liverpool consider bringing "Captain Chaos" back to Anfield?
Pro: Guaranteed low risk, possible high reward
Liverpool have shown a willingness in recent years to allow several high-profile players to leave for far less than their market value due to contractual circumstances. From Salah to Ibrahima Konaté and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Reds have often found themselves on the wrong side of those situations.
As a result, there is part of me that looks at the possibility of Darwin Núñez becoming available on a free transfer and thinks: why not?
If Liverpool were able to bring back a player of Núñez's caliber without paying a transfer fee, the financial risk would be incredibly limited compared to many of the club's recent investments. And should the Uruguayan finally put everything together at Anfield, the upside could be substantial.
It would represent a rare opportunity for Liverpool to be the club capitalizing on a favorable contract situation rather than the one losing out because of it.
There is a practical squad-building element to consider as well. Reinforcing the center-forward position without a transfer fee would allow Liverpool to dedicate more resources to other areas of need, particularly on the wings and in central defense.
Targets such as Yan Diomande, Bradley Barcola, and others are unlikely to come cheaply, and finding value elsewhere could prove crucial if the club hopes to strengthen several areas of their attack in a single window.
While Núñez struggled to settle in Saudi Arabia and featured in only 16 of Al-Hilal's 34 league matches, his production when called upon remained respectable, as the striker registered 10 goal contributions despite limited opportunities and an apparent dissatisfaction with his situation.
Those numbers alone are not enough to guarantee success in a second spell at Liverpool. However, they do suggest that the raw tools which made Núñez such an intriguing talent in the first place are still there.
If he were available on a free transfer, Liverpool would be taking a gamble—but one with a potentially significant payoff.
Con: Chancing disruption in a crowded position
As appealing as the idea of Núñez returning on a free transfer may be, Liverpool's striker situation is far different than it was when he first left the club.
The Reds now already boast two of the Premier League's most high-profile forwards in Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, both of whom will expect to play major roles in 2026/27.
Once Ekitike returns from his devastating achilles injury, he will be eager to pick up where he left off after an excellent debut campaign that produced 23 goal contributions in 45 appearances. Despite the setback, the Frenchman remains one of the club's most exciting talents and figures to be a central piece of Liverpool's plans moving forward.
Then there is Isak. Injuries and a disrupted preseason made for a frustrating first year on Merseyside, but the Swedish international now appears fully fit and ready to remind everyone why Liverpool were willing to break the English transfer record to sign him.
With the World Cup offering an opportunity to build momentum, there is every reason to believe he will return to Anfield determined to make a much greater impact next season.
While it remains too early to know exactly how new boss Andoni Iraola will manage his attacking options, one thing seems clear: both Ekitike and Isak will be pushing for significant minutes. That naturally raises an important question—where exactly would Núñez fit into the picture?
There is certainly an argument for adding depth. Given the recent injury concerns surrounding both players, having another proven striker available could provide valuable insurance over the course of a demanding season.
There is also the argument that Nunez's versatility could help alleviate some of these concerns. While he is naturally a center forward, he has spent stretches of his career operating on either wing when circumstances required it.
Given his apparent desire to return to Liverpool, it is difficult to imagine him objecting to a more flexible role if it meant another opportunity to wear the famous red shirt.
Even so, positional versatility does not completely solve the issue. Whether deployed centrally or out wide, Nunez would still be competing for minutes in an attack already packed with high-profile talent.
As useful as his adaptability may be, Liverpool would still need to determine whether adding another established attacker is worth the potential disruption to a group that is already fighting for opportunities.
Squad-building is not simply always about accumulating talent. It is also about establishing roles, expectations, and chemistry. Introducing another high-profile center forward could complicate matters in a position where Liverpool already have two players looking to cement themselves as the long-term answer.
Neither Ekitike nor Isak would likely shy away from competition, but bringing Núñez back would inevitably create additional pressure on playing time and opportunities. For a pair of forwards hoping to build rhythm and consistency under a new manager, that added uncertainty may not be ideal.
Ultimately, Liverpool would need to decide whether the benefits of extra depth outweigh the potential drawbacks.
While a Núñez reunion could strengthen the squad on paper, it also carries the risk of disrupting the balance and chemistry that Ekitike and Isak will be striving to develop throughout the 2026/27 campaign.
Add us as a preferred source on Google