Liverpool have opened talks to sign a “monster” replacement for Nunez

Liverpool are in a fantastic position, and although Arne Slott‘this side will be wary of title-chasing competition in the Premier Leaguea six point advantage (with a game in hand) means Anfield loses.

Campaign 2024/25. was contested against the backdrop of contractual uncertainties: Virgil van Dijk he was shy; Mohamed Salah he tried to encourage journalists to present his story in his way; the second, worrying third of the problem is Trent Alexander-Arnoldwho remained largely silent as Real Madrid approached the move.

In second place, FSG make they have to deal with other issues surrounding their departure at Anfield, with a certain club record signing seemingly at the end of the road.

The conundrum of Liverpool’s centre-forward

Darwin Nunez is two-and-a-half years into his Liverpool career but is still struggling to convince Merseyside of his ability to lead Slott’s first line.

Had it not been for the fruitful success of his colleagues, the Uruguayan international’s condition would have received much stronger criticism, and it was not a low-profile stay for him anyway.

It’s a puzzle, sure. In fact, Liverpool bosses appear to be running out of steam, with Football Insider is already reporting this month offering around £50m-£60m would be accepted for his sale.

Then you have Diogo Jota. The Portuguese striker is regarded as one of Liverpool’s most lethal players, ranking in the top 8% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored (0.67) per 90, according to FBref.

But Jota’s fitness record is hardly something his rivals could envy. He’s not a long-term solution at center forward for 40 or 50 games, season in, season out.

If Liverpool intend to increase the goal threat from the number nine and reduce the burden on that Mohamed Salah carried for so many years, sporting director Richard Hughes will have to get it right in the transfer market.

Nunez has missed 50 big chances in the Premier League since arriving in July 2022. according to Sofascorescoring only 22 goals in that period. The Uruguayan striker is now 25 years old and is not showing the growth that everyone at Liverpool would have expected.

It’s no surprise that FSG is scouring the market for a replacement.

Liverpool are leading the race to replace Nunez

Anfield Watch revealed that Stefanos Tzimas is on Liverpool’s radar and that the Reds are very ‘keen to sign’ the PAOK striker, who is thriving on loan at FC Nurnberg in the 2nd Bundesliga.

PAOK have an agreement in principle for Nurnberg to sign the 19-year-old permanently for £15m in the summer, but Liverpool have been tipped to secure the teenager’s signature for a fee of £25m. Bayern Munich are also interested, but the Reds are firmly ahead.

Further reports by the author Sky Sports German Florian Plettenberg on Monday indicate that Liverpool ‘initiated discussions’ with the player’s club via a phone call a few days ago.

Following on from the rumors about Nunez, it was also claimed that Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal are interested in taking the Uruguayan off Sloto’s hands, which would free up space for a talent like Tzimas to join the cause.

What Stefanos Tzimas would bring to Liverpool

Salah has been Liverpool’s attacking anchor since joining Jurgen Klopp‘s cause back in 2017, and while he could extend his contract, the 32-year-old won’t be around forever.

What Slot needs is an up-and-coming shooter who will get stronger every year. Tzimas is that man, who already was hailed as a “monster in the making” by talent hunter Jacek Kulig.

His stint in Germany’s second division looks set to pay off in his development, with the 19-year-old scoring eight goals in 14 appearances for the 11th-placed side this term, starting just ten games and missing 11 big chances, according to Sofascorewhich isn’t such a bad thing when you consider Nunez’s aforementioned profligacy.

With Liverpool set to sign him after sharpening his tools in Germany, Tzimas could be Sloto’s own version Roberto Firmino.

Tzimas is among the top 5% of strikers in divisions ranked below the top five European leagues for goals scored, the top 1% for progressive transfers and successful takeovers and the top 18% for number of attacks per 90, according to FBref.

There is no doubt that he is more than just a goalscorer, and indeed, this could be just what Liverpool need to emulate their triumphant signing of Firmino.

Bobby Dazzler wasn’t really a goalscorer, not with Salah and Sadio Mane flanking him. The Brazilian star operated in a unique and false nineteenth realm that allowed him to pull the strings with deft shots and intelligent passes. He was also a tenacious defender, a part of the game that Tzimas seems to enjoy as well.

Defensive striker and all that, but Firmino posted 186 goal contributions in 362 appearances for the Reds, winning everything on offer (apart from the pesky Europa League trophy) and going down as a modern club legend.

At times Nunez seems to have some of the elements needed to succeed as a number nine, tenacious and talented and willing to get stuck in defence, but lacking the temperament in front of goal. Anfield icon Robbie Fowler he even said he was “not a Liverpool player” before Slott’s side met Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup. Nunez missed a big opportunity there.

With the likes of Jota and Luis Diaz starring for Liverpool, a rising prospect like Tzimas could certainly be signed and nurtured to the fore in the coming years. Perhaps he can become the greatest centre-forward since Firmino, eclipsing Nunez.