Even if weird rumors of a Joao Felix swap deal surfaced this summer, Darwin Nuez was not thought to be for sale.
After scoring four goals in the preseason, the Uruguayan has been in excellent form so far this season, tallying two goals and one assist.
Despite beginning Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order for the 2023–24 Premier League season behind players like Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo, Nuez has found a way to stand out, most notably by coming in to change the game for Liverpool with a brace in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle last month.
The former Benfica star, who originally paid £64 million to join Liverpool in 2022, was given the number nine jersey this summer after Roberto Firmino left, which made rumours of a potential exit even less likely.
According to a report from the Catalan publication Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool was one of the teams interested in the new Barcelona loan signing Felix and may have even offered Nuez up to assist close the deal.
Unsurprisingly, Fabrizio Romano has dismissed this as nonsense.
The transfer writer claimed in his CaughtOffside blog that Liverpool never wanted Darwin Nuez to depart this summer, despite rumors that a trade for Joao Felix was being considered.
“On the club side, it was pretty evident that the manager and the board had decided to keep Darwin. Darwin was overjoyed that Liverpool thought he was untouchable.
Speaking after his standout performance in the Reds’ comeback victory over Newcastle, Nuez disclosed how he has utilized his ‘rage’ at not being given the opportunity to start games to motivate his performances.
