Liverpool should move for Darwin Nunez if they lose Sadio Mane, according to former Reds defender Mark Lawrenson, despite the Uruguayan being likely to cost "mega-money".
Senegal forward Mane is out of contract in 2023, and has been linked with a summer move to Bayern Munich. Liverpool won't want to let their star leave on the cheap, and may prefer to lose him on a free a year from now rather than compromise on a free this summer, but they'll also have their eye on potential replacements.
The Reds have already added Fabio Carvalho to their ranks this summer, while Luis Diaz arrived in January. However, with Divock Origi moving on and Mane potentially following suit, a new arrival may be needed, and Nunez - already linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United - may fit the bill after impressing against the Reds for Benfica.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football on behalf of 888sport, Lawrenson identified Nunez as the ideal replacement if the Reds do lose Mane. "He's going to be mega-money I think, but we saw what he could do at Anfield in the second leg," the former Ireland international said.
"He's very quick, very strong, obviously knows where the goal is, but that night I was really impressed with the fact that he worked his socks off for the team. Straight away I thought 'wow, there's a Klopp player if there ever is one', so we'll wait and see."
Lawrenson also pointed to Mane's work-rate when admitting the loss of the "fabulous" former Southampton man would be a big blow. "He's probably not had as much praise as Mohamed Salah, obviously, but he can play in three different positions, all across the front three, and he's strong and he chases back and he works hard, and I'm told by many people down at the training ground that he's just a top, top bloke who just gets on with it and everything," he said.
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Nunez scored a career-best 34 goals for Benfica last season. His tally included 26 in the Primeira Liga, two in domestic cups and six in the Champions League, including a last-16 winner at Ajax and goals in both legs of the quarter-final defeat to Liverpool.
Agent Jorge Mendes is working on a deal to find the 22-year-old a new club, with reports suggesting he is likely to set suitors back a huge £68m. The Uruguay forward is only in his second season as a Benfica player, having joined in 2020 off the back of an impressive season in the Spanish second tier with Almeria.
Liverpool face a big challenge if they end up being required to replace Mane's goals. The 30-year-old has hit double figures in all six of his seasons as a Liverpool player, including 16 in the league and 23 in all competitions in 2021-22, and his departure - if it happens - will leave a big hole to fill.
"Obviously they'd love to keep him for another year and maybe get him to extend his contract, but it looks... It came out so quick, didn't it [the Bayern link]," Lawrenson said. "You know what it's like with these things, nobody can ever keep them quiet, it's absolutely, totally impossible. But it looks like he's agreed to go, which is a blow for Liverpool because he's been absolutely fabulous."
Mark Lawrenson was speaking on behalf of 888sport . Head to 888sport for the latest Premier League odds.
