Liverpool pour cold water on Darwin Nunez reunion talk as Pearce sets record straight

Let’s all take a deep breath, shall we? The chatter about Darwin Nunez rocking back up at Anfield has gone into overdrive this week, but the brakes have been slammed on by The Athletic’s James Pearce. After speaking to senior figures at Liverpool, he’s poured a bucket of ice water over talk of a reunion with the former Reds striker.

The rumour mill vs the reality

Word spread that Liverpool were closing in on bringing Nunez back to Merseyside, with one claim even insisting the deal was essentially wrapped up but kept under wraps while the Uruguayan focuses on the World Cup. That’s romantic stuff for the timeline, but Pearce’s line is far more sober: club sources insist no agreement exists and a return isn’t on the cards.

Nunez’s Saudi saga

Nunez’s stint at Al Hilal has been bumpy to say the least. The striker was deregistered to make space for Karim Benzema, a brutal reminder of the revolving door in the Saudi Pro League’s star project. There’s even been talk his contract could be cut short, which would make him a free agent this summer. Remember, he headed to Riyadh in 2025 after an up-and-down spell at Liverpool, where he still managed to get his hands on a Premier League title — becoming only the second Uruguayan to do so after Diego Forlán’s triumph with Manchester United.

Do Liverpool even need another No 9?

Short answer: not really. The Reds splashed out last summer to land Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, so centre-forward isn’t exactly a barren department. Ekitike’s on the mend from an Achilles issue and will be back in the mix next season. If Nunez did return, he’d likely be third choice — and that’s before you consider the knock-on effect to minutes and development for the current pair. As recruitment puzzles go, adding another striker would be more indulgence than necessity.

Transfer talk and the road ahead

With the summer window looming, expect the rumour mill to keep churning — and yes, you’ll see odds shift across the usual best betting sites as whispers gather momentum. But on this one, Liverpool’s stance via Pearce is clear enough: park the reunion narrative for now and focus on genuine priorities elsewhere in the squad.

So, was it ever close? Perhaps in the fevered imaginations of the timeline. In the cold light of day, though, the club’s message is consistent: exciting story, wrong summer. Nunez must sort his future after a chaotic Saudi chapter, while Liverpool crack on with a window that doesn’t hinge on another centre-forward.