The TRUTH behind Darwin Nunez's Liverpool exile

Liverpool haven't been starting Darwin Nunez and apparently for a very good reason. Here's the claim.

Darwin Nunez has had a very, very interesting season. The Uruguayan started it looking like an ideal fit in Arne Slot's team but as we come to the end, he's essentially in exile.

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Nunez has started just one Premier League fixture in 2025 - the 3-1 win over Southampton in which he scored. Outside of that, he's barely been seen beyond 30 minutes.

Now, there have been starts in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Champions League since the turn of the year but again, just one in each competition. Slot doesn't appear to fancy him and did actually call Nunez out for a lack of work rate a couple of months ago.

It's left the striker as an impact sub who doesn't make much of an impact. Nunez has scored just three times in 2025, laying on another two assists.

But there's apparently a very good reason why Liverpool aren't starting Nunez in games. That's according to a new report from Portugal.

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Darwin Nunez and Benfica

A Bola reports that Liverpool owe Benfica money in add-ons for Nunez. Or at least, they might.

The Reds's deal for the striker was worth up to around £85m but only if all add-ons were triggered. Several have already been met, with Liverpool owing €5m after Nunez had started 10 matches across the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Another €5m then went to Benfica after Nunez started an extra 25 in those competitions (35 total, in other words). And the Reds owe a third €5m payment once he's started his 60th fixture in the big two competitions.

Only, Nunez is on 59.

With Liverpool out of the Champions League, the next Premier League start would cost the Reds €5m. That's apparently why Slot hasn't been using him in the XI.

Nunez is also expected to depart this summer, with major interest from Saudi Arabia. Liverpool rejected an offer in the winter window but they're expected to enter more talks after the campaign finishes.

And so if the Reds can ride out the next month, they'll save themselves €5m. It's a sizeable amount given there's not actually any real need to start anyone beyond the next fixture.

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Has Nunez started his final Liverpool fixture, then? Almost certainly, by the looks of it.