Liverpool rejected Premier League rival's approach for Darwin Nunez

Liverpool rejected an enquiry about Darwin Nuñez's availability from Chelsea last summer, according to a report.

After a mixed first year, the Reds' number nine has established himself as Jurgen Klopp's preferred central attacking option during his second season at Anfield.

The Uruguayan has nine goals and seven assists in 24 Premier League outings in 2023/24, while his goal contributions in all competitions sit at an impressive 24.

While debate over Nunez's finishing remain, the 24-year-old has undoubtedly and markedly improved since his first turbulent season at Liverpool and is now a key player in the Reds' hunt for trophies.

However, had things gone another way, he might not have been at Anfield at all this season.

Paul Joyce reports in the Times that Chelsea co-sporting director Paul Winstanley, acting on a rumour that Liverpool were considering a sale, made an enquiry about Nuñez's availability during the 2023 summer window.

That tentative transfer approach was quickly rebuffed, however, with the Reds never considering letting go of the player the shelled out an initial £65m for from Benfica in 2022.

Nunez had been on a run of five goals and three assists in his last eight appearances for Liverpool. However, after scoring a delightful chipped finish, he was substituted with a complaint at half time of the win over Brentford last Saturday.

Klopp later admitted both Nunez and Mohamed Salah were being monitored 'day by day', with the pair major doubts for the Carabao Cup final this Sunday after missing the 4-1 win over Luton mid-week.

While Nuñez could yet return in time to face the team that enquired about his services, the Reds still have at least nine first-team players almost certainly unavailable for Sunday.

Interestingly, Joyce's report also notes how Liverpool's recruitment had also been monitoring now Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku prior to signing Nuñez.

However, the Blues were ultimately 'well ahead' on the Frenchman, then at RB Leipzig, while neither Jurgen Klopp nor his assistant Pep Lijnders were 'entirely sold' on the target.