Darwin Nunez’s Saudi Arabia adventure has gone badly wrong — and it could be opening the door for a surprise return to Anfield.
The Uruguayan striker joined Al Hilal last summer for £64 million, but his time in Saudi Arabia has been a disaster. He was frozen out of the club’s league squad and has not played competitive football since February, raising serious doubts about his future at the club.
Reports from Spain now suggest Nunez could seek to terminate his Al Hilal contract early, potentially making himself available as a free agent this summer. That prospect has immediately attracted attention from several clubs across Europe, with Liverpool’s name emerging among those mentioned in transfer discussions.
Despite his absence from club football, Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has kept faith with the 26-year-old, naming him in his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A strong tournament could quickly revive European interest in the striker.
The most telling sign of a possible reunion came from Nunez himself. Speaking during international duty earlier this year, the forward made no attempt to hide his feelings about his former club.
“I would be lying if I said I don’t miss the Liverpool supporters. They made me and my family feel welcome, especially during difficult moments. I miss Liverpool, I miss them a lot.”
During his time at Anfield, Nunez scored 40 goals in 143 appearances across all competitions. While consistency was a recurring criticism, his pace, energy, and unpredictability made him a fan favourite, and he produced several memorable moments — none more so than his dramatic two-goal stoppage-time cameo against Brentford in his final season.
A free transfer return would represent a low-risk option for Liverpool, who already banked £64 million from his sale just twelve months ago. With new manager Andoni Iraola continuing to shape his squad, bringing back a player already familiar with the club’s culture and environment could make sense.
No official move is imminent, but with Nunez openly pining for a return and his Al Hilal situation growing increasingly untenable, the prospect of a second Anfield chapter is no longer as far-fetched as it once seemed.
