Five Players Who Could Replace Darwin Nunez at Liverpool – Analysis | OneFootball

Is Darwin Nunez’s Time at Liverpool Coming to an End?

At this moment in time, it very much feels like Nunez’s time at Anfield is slowly coming to an end. The Uruguayan hasn’t quite slotted into Slot’s system and he is struggling in front of goal.

This season he is averaging a goal conversion rate of just 10.56% – way below what is expected of a striker – let alone the most expensive player in Liverpool’s history. For that reason, a parting of ways makes sense. But if that was to come to fruition the question remains, who should Liverpool target to replace the Uruguayan?

Anfield Index takes a look at a few options below.

Santiago Gimenez

The Mexican has a goal conversion of 33% in the Eredivisie – far higher than Nunez. He is a pure finisher and at 23 years old young enough for FSG to make a move. So far, this season Gimenez is averaging 1.08 goals and assist per 90 and has an xG of 0.88 per 90. He thrives inside the box with 7.38 touches in the opposition’s penalty area.

Photo: IMAGO

He’ll still get himself involved in the build-up play and his 2.15 shot-creating-actions is a more than respectable return – roughly the same as Nunez in this Liverpool team so he would offer the same creative threat but also a touch of poise in front of goal. Importantly, he is someone who tracks back and defends from the front averaging 3.23 recoveries per 90.

Having already worked with Slot at Feyenoord, Gimenez would understand his system and that could make him settle at lot easier at Anfield. This seems like a cost-effective option for Richard Hughes and definitely one to ponder.

Victor Osimhen

The Nigerian is well liked at Anfield and he will be available in the summer. Michael Edwards was once desperate to bring him to Liverpool before he joined Napoli. Still 26 years old, this would be a transfer that would make sense.

Photo: IMAGO

Osimhen averages a 21.27% goal conversion rate, still more than double of Nunez’s. He is also a creator and averages 1.39 goals and assists per 90 – a whopping return. Like Gimenez, he also thrives inside the box averaging 6.91 touches in the opposition’s penalty area per 90 in the Serie A last season.

This is something Slot has been keen to get Nunez involved in more. Slot’s forwards during his time in the Netherlands have averaged around 7-8 touches in the opposition’s area. Right now, Nunez is averaging 5.24 per 90. Osimhen is still a brilliant presser of the ball and he will involve himself in the defensive side of the game averaging 1.82 recoveries per 90.

Stefanos Tzimas

The Greek wonderkid maybe a bit of a strange selection given he plays in the 2.Bundesliga. However, Liverpool have been linked with a move for Tzimas and it’s understood the club’s scouts are huge admirers. Only 19 years old, Tzimas has a 20% goal conversion which is really impressive considering he is averaging close to 4 shots per 90 (3.98). Compared that to Nunez who averages just over 10% from 2.5 shots per 90 and you get a much more clinical finisher.

Photo: IMAGO

At the same time Tzimas may be the most complete player on the list. He is brilliant in his build-up play, loves to take players on and contributes defensively as well. He averages 2.63 shot-creating-actions which is the highest on this list. He also thrives inside the box making 7.48 touches in the opposition’s penalty area per 90 – again that’s the highest on this list.

And on top of that attempts 5.24 take-ons per 90 and succeeds in 2.04 of them – which is again highest among all the players on this list. Sure, he’s doing this in the 2.Bundesliga and he is more of a long-term project, but based on those numbers he could prove to be a formidable option. Although he might need a longer time to acclimatise to the level of Liverpool.

Benjamin Sesko

Another excellent finisher who is still a little bit raw is Benjamin Sesko. Only 21 years old, he has recorded top speeds exceeding 37km/h which makes him a rapid forward that’s difficult to handle for opposition defenders. He loves to take players on and succeeds in 1.15 take-ons per 90 (the second highest among the players on the list behind Tzimas).

Photo: IMAGO

At the same time, he is a great finisher with a goal conversion rate of 24% from 2.30 shots per 90. That means he is also doubly more effective than Nunez in front of goal while averaging around the same amount of shots as the Uruguayan. Sesko is a project forward as well. He won’t be the finished article but he’s got all the tools to be a success in the Premier League.

The biggest stumbling block for him is the price tag. RB Leipzig do not let players go on the cheap. Although with Jurgen Klopp there now, perhaps he might be a little bit more favourable towards his former club?

Jayden Danns

Why not promote from within? Danns scored another goal for Liverpool against Accrington Stanley and looked really lively. He’s got 3 goals in 100 minutes so far in the first team and has a goal conversion in the first team of 42.85%.

Photo: IMAGO

Those numbers are still impressive at academy level where Danns has had a goal conversion of 23.07% from 2.77 shots per 90. We’ve seen from him at U18 and U21 level that he will involve himself in the build-up play. He averages 4.58 dribbles per 90 and 1.38 passes into the opposition’s penalty area.

But where he thrives the most is through his pressing game. Last season, he was very effective at winning the ball high up the field for Liverpool’s academy sides, averaging 2.29 interceptions per 90 and 3.46 recoveries per 90. Still very raw at 18 years old, he seems tailor made for Arne Slot’s system and perhaps deserves an opportunity to show his class if Nunez was to depart for pastures new.