Núñez is not the most reliable finisher (he only scored with 14% of his shots last season) but Liverpool are a more threatening side when he is on the pitch – their xG increases when he plays. His performances for Uruguay should give Arne Slot food for thought. The Dutchman favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation at
Feyenoord, with a lone striker leading the line. The Mexico forward Santiago Giménez fulfilled that job last season and finished the campaign with 23 league goals.
Since taking over as
Uruguay manager last year, Bielsa has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Núñez playing as the lone frontman. While not too dissimilar to Klopp’s favoured 4-3-3 setup, the system used by Bielsa and Slot means there is another player closer to the striker rather than a third midfielder operating as a go-between. Núñez has been prolific for Uruguay when playing in front of a No 10 who creates chances for him. He could do the same for Liverpool.
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Núñez is tailor-made to be the focal point in a 4-2-3-1 formation given his good hold-up play, speed, power and ability to provide for teammates – he set up 13 goals for Liverpool in all competitions last season, the joint-highest in the squad along with Salah. You only have to watch him play for Uruguay to appreciate how devastatingly effective he could be under Slot, whose Feyenoord team often hurt opponents on the counter in the Eredivisie. Only RKC Waalwijk (six) scored more counterattacking goals than Feyenoord (five) in 2023-24.
Slot should give Núñez a fair crack. Now entering his third year in England, it’s not necessarily a sliding doors summer for the polarising forward but a strong performance at the
Copa América will certainly weigh in his favour. His current focus is on helping Uruguay try to win a record 16th Copa América title. If he continues to shine under Bielsa, it bodes well for his return to Liverpool. If Slot sticks with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, Núñez could be the ideal fit