Chris Sutton believes Darwin Nunez can give Liverpool the "edge" in key matches as the 22-year-old closes in on a club-record move to Anfield this summer.
It is understood the Uruguay international wants to join the Reds and the Benfica forward is their number one transfer target as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his forward line. Nunez netted 34 times in all competitions last season, including a goal in each leg of their Champions League quarter-final defeat against Liverpool.
Reports suggest the fee for Nunez will be in the region of £85million which would see him become their record transfer following Virgil van Djik's £76million move from Southampton in January 2018. Manchester United are also said to be interested in the player but it is claimed he would prefer to join the Reds.
Nunez is not the only forward Liverpool are looking at this summer, with doubts surrounding the futures of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. Kylian Mbappe and Victor Osimhen are amongst those who have previously been linked with a move to Anfield, but Nunez is the one they want.
And Sutton has explained why the move would suit both parties perfectly. He said in his Mail column: "Having had the pleasure of seeing this forward in the flesh a few times, it's his aerial ability that has impressed me.
"At 6ft 2in and 80kg (12st 8lb) he's a handful for any defender, and it was his headed goal against Ajax that sent Benfica through to the Champions League quarter-finals. That could be a useful addition for Liverpool up top.
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"Nobody produced more crosses than Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Premier League last season, and Andy Robertson wasn't far behind his pal. Against sides that defend deep — and plenty try that tactic when going to Anfield — you need someone challenging for those balls coming into the box.
"When Liverpool drew 1-1 with Tottenham last month, they crossed the ball 46 times — the most of any side in a single match during the 2021-22 campaign — and 46 times it wasn't headed beyond Hugo Lloris. As a result, Liverpool dropped two points. How costly that proved. They finished one point behind Premier League champions Manchester City.
"They won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup but didn't score in either of those finals against Chelsea, instead relying on penalty shootouts to prevail. If Nunez can come in and give Liverpool that edge in those scenarios, then Jurgen Klopp will consider him worth his hefty cost."
