Darwin Nunez is wasting little time in proving himself outside of Anfield. The Uruguayan striker, who left Liverpool this summer to join Saudi giants Al-Hilal, has already found the net in back-to-back competitive matches.
For a player once judged for missing chances in the Premier League, Nunez now seems to be writing a different script.
His latest strike came in the AFC Champions League against Al-Duhail. With Al-Hilal trailing, Nunez popped up in the box to score the equaliser before Theo Hernandez sealed the win.
It was the kind of goal Liverpool fans might describe as “chaotic but effective,” a phrase that summed up much of his time on Merseyside.
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What Darwin Nunez said while leaving Liverpool
Nunez has embraced his new adventure with Al-Hilal. Speaking after his move, he made it clear that his time at Liverpool will always be special.
“Thank you, Liverpool,” he wrote in his farewell message. “Three years on, it’s time to say goodbye. I’ll take with me countless memories that will live with me forever. Liverpool will always be part of who I am.”
But he also seems to be enjoying the freedom away from the European spotlight.
Reports in Saudi Arabia suggest he feels less pressure and more confidence in front of the goal. For a player once seen as unpredictable, that might be exactly what he needs.
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Darwin Nunez at Liverpool
Nunez’s exit came after a mixed spell in England. He scored 40 goals in 143 appearances across three seasons, including 14 in his debut campaign.
While he struggled to hold down a starting role under new boss Arne Slot last season, his numbers were not insignificant.
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 42 | 15 | 4 |
| 2023-24 | 54 | 18 | 7 |
| 2024-25 | 47 | 7 | 3 |
| Total | 143 | 40 | 14 |
Liverpool, meanwhile, have already moved on. Hugo Ekitike has scored freely since arriving, while Alexander Isak is waiting in the wings after his big-money switch.
For Nunez, the script has flipped. In England, he was often the punchline; in Saudi Arabia, he may just become the headline.