Darwin Nunez is likely to leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window, according to Reds transfer expert David Lynch.
Arne Slot has had few issues to contend with so far this season given his team are first in the Premier League and have all but qualified for the Champions League's round of 16 following his team's 1-0 victory against Girona on Tuesday.
However, Nunez was singled out for criticism by pundits and fans, and even the Uruguayan's most ardent backers struggled to defend his performance against the Spanish side.
The striker has scored just two goals in 11 Premier League matches this season, and Lynch believes that there is almost no chance of him staying at Anfield beyond this campaign, telling Sports Mole: "It's essentially settled now. I just don't think there's a debate there around Nunez.
"I think the die's cast now. I think Nunez is what he is - two-and-a-half seasons in now, he hasn't lived up to expectations, so the job is now to get the best out of him that you can between now and the end of the season, and then he will leave and I'm sure he'll find somewhere else where [he will] fit better and [be] more appreciated.
"It's not been a very good signing, but as I say, it's just important now to refocus on what he can do and what he can contribute between now and May."
Nunez can always be relied upon to work hard, but he has so far no proven he is capable of becoming a regular goalscorer despite his clear talent.
Is Diogo Jota's return the beginning of the end?
One of the alluring aspects of Nunez's playstyle has been his ability to generate numerous shots, arguably one of the most important traits in a striker.
Last season, the Uruguayan produced 4.7 shots per 90 in the Premier League, but he has only managed to produce 2.31 shots per 90 this term.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch highlighted that with Nunez's shot volume sharply declining, Diogo Jota is likely a better fit for the the team, saying: "One of [Nunez's] big selling points initially was he gets a lot of shot volume and that will essentially turn into goals - if you give him time, yes, he misses some, but he's always going to score some as well because he gets that shot volume.
"But now with the way Slot uses his strikers, that's not happening. He doesn't really have an awful lot of upside because if he doesn't get high shot volume, he's not going to get a lot of goals because he's not a ruthless finisher as he showed [against Girona].
"I wholeheartedly expect that he will leave Liverpool at the end of this season, but the job for him now is to be a good second-choice striker, to come in in the games where Jota can't start, and be that version of himself that he's not been in the last two games. Liverpool don't need him to score 100 goals, they don't need him to be the main man, they just need him to come in and be competent in build-up and help them get up the pitch."
Nunez has at least proved to be somewhat effective from the bench given tiring defenders have often found his relentless energy hard to deal with, and he could return to that role now that Jota is available for selection against Fulham on Saturday.
© Imago
Can Liverpool get anything out of Nunez?
Slot has so far prioritised getting the most out of Mohamed Salah, ensuring that the Egyptian is able to receive the ball in favourable positions from which he is then able to strike at goal or play towards a teammate.
Considering that the winger has scored or assisted 21 of Liverpool's 29 Premier League goals, Slot's strategy seems to be working, but it has meant that Nunez's role in the final third has reduced.
However, even though his role is not as significant, the striker has still struggled with the demands placed on him during buildup, and if Salah signed a new contract then it is difficult to see the Reds boss diverting from his current playstyle anytime soon.
Lynch expressed his belief that Nunez is not consistent enough with his play outside of the penalty area to warrant keeping in the team, telling Sports Mole: "I think Liverpool supporters have to reconcile themselves to the idea that this is how it is now [with Nunez].
"He's played an awful lot of games and, yes, he's not contributing hugely in terms of goals and assists, but his work rate's been decent. He's been pressing. He's been getting the ball up the pitch nicely.
"But what we've seen in the last two games is his build-up has just dropped off a cliff - he completes four out of eight passes [against Girona]. He was similarly poor against Newcastle. That's when - [as well as] missing chances - he starts to become detrimental to the team."
Nunez has still enjoyed the support of Liverpool fans in at Anfield and at away grounds, and supporters will hope that he can help spur the Reds to another victory on Saturday.
Lewis Nolan
