One of the biggest transfers in the summer transfer window is the transfer of Darwin Nunez from Benfica to Liverpool. The Uruguayan representative left Lisbon after two years and signed for the Reds despite having an offer from Manchester United. However, Jurgen Klopp's call was decisive and the forward decided to sign a six-year contract with Liverpool.
Nunez's path through Peñarol, Almeria and Benfica to the Premier League was interwoven with constant improvement, advancement and sacrifice, writes Goal.com in a text dedicated to the Uruguayan striker.
"He's a beast," Jurgen Klopp's assistant Pep Lijnders told Goal.com recently.
Nunes made his debut in the Premier League with a goal against Fulham in the first round, and with his entry into the game, Liverpool became more aggressive, more dangerous... The Uruguayan scored a nice goal with the fifth, and then assisted Mohamed Salah in the draw (2:2) with returning to the Premier League.
And tonight, the 23-year-old striker will make his debut in front of the audience at "Anfield". Liverpool is hosting Crystal Palace, and after the setback in the first round, victory is imperative. Nunes is expected to be in the starting lineup.
When you spend so much money on a player, you expect a quick return on your investment. In that respect, Nunez's start in the new environment is encouraging, as he was also the scorer in the Community Shield against Manchester City.
"It feels like home," Klopp said on Friday, then referred to his partnership with Mohamed Salah.
"They want desperately to score," added the German.
Like Salah, Nunes also worked hard to get the chance to play at Liverpool. The path led him from Peñarol, via Almeria and Benfica, where he shone last season.
"Hard work pays off and Darwin is a real example. He has great skills, he has a good mentality, he is willing to listen and believe in his abilities. He can become one of the best strikers in the world," Nunes' coach from Almeria Pedro Emanuel.
Nunes was 20 years old when he moved to Almeria, which at the time was competing in Segunda. The Spanish team paid Peñarol five million pounds, which was a lot, since Nunes had only scored four goals for Peñarol in 22 games at that point.
"We brought him in because of his skills and potential. We did a lot of research into South America. We had two other players from that climate on our shortlist. Darwin had the attacking skills we needed. The transfer was expensive, but we knew that if we invest, then it has to be in young and talented players like him," Emanuel said.
Almeria's gamble paid off. Nunes spent a little more than a year in Spain - he scored 16 goals and was transferred to Benfica.
"I had a good impression of him when I first met him. He was humble. He desperately wanted to come to Europe, and when he came he immediately connected with the players," remembers Emanuel.
However, the Uruguayan did not make his debut right away. He got injured playing for the national team, and when he recovered, no one could stop him.
"He always demands more - both from himself and from his teammates. He left a big impression on all of us. He was young, but he progressed quickly. He became faster and stronger," Emanuel recalled.
Nunes went to Benfica in 2020, where he continued with great games, and Almeria received 20 million pounds for this transfer.
"He has become one of the best strikers in Europe. He has progressed physically, he has improved his fitness. He moves easily in and around the penalty area. He easily breaks free from the defender and gets into a position to shoot. What makes him more dangerous is his constant desire to attack , to rush towards the goal. He has improved a lot in the last two or three years," said Emanuel.
Georges Jesus, who coached Benfica during Nunez's first year in Lisbon, said the forward would be a world-class player. Emanuel supports that claim.
"I think he will get better at Liverpool. When a club like Liverpool spends so much money on a player, then it is clear that he believes he can make a difference. He has joined a stable club. Liverpool give players a lot of time to adapt, to get to know the team. .. He will improve with Klopp," Emanuel is convinced.
Fans at "Anfield" will have the opportunity to see Nunes in action tonight.
"This is a big challenge for him, but he is able to succeed. He will not let Liverpool down. He never gives up," Emmanuel concluded in an interview with Goal.com.
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