As Liverpool come to the end of another gruelling season, Darwin Nunez might well be taking stock of how things have gone over the past few months with the club.
The Uruguayan hasn’t had the best time of it in front of goal of late, and it’s led to consistent criticism of his ability to finish.
With a new manager in Arne Slot expected to be unveiled in due course, the time could be right for the striker to part ways with the club, particularly if Slot has different ideas.
Former Liverpool and England striker, Stan Collymore, knows all about the pressure that comes with being a front man for the Reds.
Nunez needs to change if he wants to be a Liverpool legend
“I’ve been a high profile signing at Liverpool… for a club and national record transfer fee no less,” he said to CaughtOffside for his exclusive column.
“The pressure is relentless, the media constant, every game micro-analysed, and fans used to winning a lot always on your back when the going isn’t so good.
“So, I understand what Darwin Nunez is going through.
“The only question I’d ask him face to face, and one I answered in my own mind was, “do you feel you are good enough to score enough goals and create enough chances for your teammates?”
“If he’s honest, he’ll know whether to stick or twist with the Reds and a new manager, as well as those doubting his ability.
“Is he a Fowler, Rush, Torres, Mo or Suarez? No, of course not, but only he can answer whether he can do it or not.”
It’s clear that Jurgen Klopp saw something in the player that he liked, and the challenge for the hit man now is to put his recent issues to the back of his mind and get back to doing what he does best.
Perhaps not being so selfish in front of goal might also be the way forward in terms of Nunez being able to get his confidence back.
“Me? I had to completely change my game to adapt to Robbie Fowler who I knew who would outscore me, so I created a lot for him while scoring at a good rate too,” Collymore added.
“If Nunez can do that then he has a chance to be a resounding success for several years at Liverpool, but if he doesn’t, then for him and the club he’s better off moving because there’s nowhere to hide at Liverpool and the intensity of the analysis isn’t going anywhere.”
Were Slot to consider a sale the club would be expected to earn a pretty penny, and if that’s money that will be reinvested back into the squad, the new manager may feel it’s a deal that could be sanctioned.
Ultimately, it seems that everything rests on Darwin Nunez. Just how much does he want to be a success at the club?
If he sees himself at Liverpool for the foreseeable future, then things evidently have to change.