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Liverpool transfers: £15m Darwin Nunez alternative Reds should have bought instead

Liverpool transfers: £15m Darwin Nunez alternative Reds should have bought instead

Paul Macdonald 19 Sep 2024, 07:27 Last modified: 19 Sep 2024

Liverpool missed out on an incredible alternative to Darwin Núñez, who is ripping apart the Premier League for just £15 million.

Núñez has had a mixed start to life at Anfield, since his up-to £85 million move, and is yet to start a game this season under Arne Slot, with Diogo Jota currently preferred up front. The Uruguayan striker has had some unforgettable moments in a Liverpool shirt, with his brace against Newcastle, and late winner against Nottingham Forest last season, unlikely to be forgotten.

However, some fans have started to get frustrated by his inconsistency, with the striker having a poor 12.79% conversion rate in the league last season, according to Squawka as per Givemesport.

He was also offside more than any other player with 33, five higher than second-place Nicolas Jackson.

Why Jhon Durán could be the ideal Nunez alternative

Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán has been tearing the Premier League apart so far this season, with three goals already, despite coming on after 60 minutes in each of the games. Last Saturday he helped Villa come back from 2-0 down to beat Everton, scoring a thumping 30-yard strike which some fans are already calling the goal of the season.

The Colombian striker was linked to the Reds back when he was playing in MLS for Chicago Fire for a fee of just £15 million. Pipe Sierra, a Colombian journalist who broke the news of Luis Diaz joining Liverpool, revealed back in 2022 that Liverpool sent the same scouts who mentored Diaz to watch Durán.

© IMAGO - CHARLOTTE, NC - JULY 10: Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez 19 walks toward his position during the CONMEBOL Copa America semifinal between Uruguay and Colombia on Wednesday July 10, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire SOCCER: JUL 10 CONMEBOL Copa America - Semifinals - Uruguay vs Colombia EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2407100078

However, Liverpool decided against paying that price for a teenager from MLS, and so he instead went to Aston Villa in January of last year. Whilst he is yet to lock down a starting spot for Villa, that time is only getting closer, with Durán scoring with another ridiculous finish in the Champions League, although his goal was eventually ruled out for handball.

How high can Durán go

At just 20 years old Durán is now widely viewed as one of the best young players in England, and his unbelievable finishing, mixed with his ability to score from anywhere and explosive pace mean he could yet be viewed as one of the top talents in the world.

If he continues on his current trajectory, Liverpool will no doubt regret their choice a few years ago, especially if Núñez cannot nail down a starting position at the club.

In his current red-hot form this will likely be his breakout season, however the Reds were already on the receiving end of his talent in Jurgen Klopp’s last ever away game with the club. Durán came on at 79 minutes with his side 3-1 down, and less than 10 minutes later Villa were level. The Colombian had scored both.