I can't see Darwin being a Liverpool player next season

Michael Owen, the former England international and Ballon d'Or winner in 2001, has expressed serious doubts about Darwin Núñez's future at Liverpool.

Speaking to Talksport on Tuesday, Owen was candid in his assessment of the Uruguayan striker's time at Anfield, stating that he finds it "hard to imagine" Núñez still being a Liverpool player when next season kicks off.

Owen’s comments come amid growing speculation surrounding Núñez's future. The 24-year-old forward, who arrived from Benfica in 2022 for a club-record fee of €85 million, has faced a turbulent time adapting to life in the Premier League. Despite flashes of brilliance, moments of explosive pace, and physical dominance, Darwin has often struggled with consistency and composure in front of goal factors that have led to frustration among fans and, seemingly, raised concerns within the club’s hierarchy.

Now in his second season, Núñez has scored seven goals and provided five assists in 40 appearances across all competitions. While those numbers aren’t disastrous, they fall short of the expectations that accompanied his record-breaking transfer. At a club like Liverpool, where attacking output is constantly compared to the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino, the pressure to deliver consistently is immense. And for Owen, the signs suggest that the club may be ready to move on.

“Darwin has shown some good moments, sure, but has he ever really convinced us that he’s the long-term answer up front? I don’t think so,” Owen said during his Talksport segment. “When you look at the system Klopp plays, the pressing, the decision-making, the technical quality required in the final third I’m not sure Darwin has consistently ticked all those boxes.”

The timing of Owen’s remarks is particularly notable. With Liverpool competing on multiple fronts and currently leading the Premier League, the squad’s future is under close scrutiny especially with Jürgen Klopp set to step down at the end of the season. A managerial change could prompt a reshaping of the squad, and several sources believe Núñez might be one of the high-profile departures in the summer.

According to reports from Spain, Atlético Madrid are keeping close tabs on the striker and see him as a potential addition to their frontline. The Spanish side are said to admire Núñez’s physical attributes and believe a return to La Liga-style football might suit his qualities better. However, they’re not alone in the race. Owen pointed out that interest in the striker extends beyond Spain, suggesting there could be at least one or two Premier League clubs willing to take a chance on Núñez if Liverpool decide to sell.

“There’s definite interest in him and not just from abroad,” Owen continued. “I’ve heard there are Premier League clubs monitoring his situation. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if one of the top-half teams came in for him. Maybe a team that plays a different style, where he has more space to run into and less pressure to be precise in tight areas.”

The financial aspect also plays a crucial role. Liverpool invested heavily in Núñez and would likely want to recoup as much of that fee as possible. But given his mixed performances and the looming change in management, the club might accept a slightly reduced price if they feel the money could be reinvested more effectively elsewhere in the squad.

Darwin Núñez still has a contract with Liverpool until 2028, and officially, neither the player nor the club has made any public indication of a desire to part ways. However, body language, substitutions in key matches, and recent form have fueled speculation. Klopp has frequently defended his striker in press conferences, praising his work ethic and mentality, but even the manager has occasionally hinted at the need for more clinical finishing.

As Liverpool approach the final stretch of what could be a historic season, all eyes will be on Núñez to see whether he can silence the critics and prove his worth. A strong end to the campaign with goals in crucial matches could shift the narrative and perhaps convince the club’s next manager to keep faith in him.

Until then, however, the uncertainty remains. And for a former Liverpool legend like Michael Owen to publicly doubt Núñez’s future at the club speaks volumes. Whether it’s Atlético Madrid, a rival Premier League side, or a revival at Anfield, Darwin Núñez's next chapter seems poised to be one of the defining stories of the upcoming transfer window.