Liverpool ‘broke fundamental club rule’ to sign Darwin Nunez from Benfica

Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica.

Liverpool 'broke' their own rule regarding transfers when they signed Darwin Nunez, according to reports. The Reds signed Nunez from Benfica in a transfer worth a potential €100m ahead of the current season. The Uruguayan striker was targeted as a replacement for club legend Sadio Mane, who left to join Bayern Munich. Nunez has experienced a difficult start to life in the Premier League and, according to reports, there are already question marks about the club's record signing.

Liverpool and Darwin Nunez.

According to football journalist Diego Torres, writing in Spanish publication El Pais, Liverpool broke 'a fundamental club rule' when they signed Nunez. The Reds reportedly aim to avoid spending more than €50m on a single transfer. They broke this rule twice in 2018 when they signed Virgil van Dijk for €80m and Alisson Becker for €60m. Both players have been successful at Anfield and helped the club win the Premier League, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the FA Cup and the League Cup. Their transfers were also funded by Philippe Coutinho's sale to Barcelona for €142m in January 2018. Since then Liverpool have rarely forked out large transfer fees for players. Nunez, however, became the club's most expensive player ever when he joined from Benfica. The Uruguayan striker, 23, scored in the Community Shield against Manchester City. He then scored and registered an assist on his Premier League debut against Fulham. On his home debut, however, Nunez was sent off for appearing to headbutt Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen. He has looked off the pace since returning from suspension, failing to score against Everton and Napoli. According to El Pais, some at Liverpool already believe that signing Nunez was a mistake.

Klopp wanted Liverpool to sign Nunez.

Klopp is said to have pushed to land the player after he impressed against Liverpool in the Champions League last season. He scored in both ties against the Reds. Liverpool reportedly had other transfer options to fill the forward position vacated by Mane, such as Richarlison, Heung-min Son or Robert Lewandowski, but the German coach wanted Nunez. The Uruguayan striker, however, reportedly struggled in pre-season training and there were question marks around his decision-making and performance under pressure. Klopp has shown patience with the player and is said to be working hard to get him up to speed. Nunez is still at the very start of his career with Liverpool, and there is plenty of time for him to prove doubters wrong. The ex-Benfica forward will only silence his critics, however, by performing on the pitch and proving that Liverpool were right to make him the club's most expensive player ever. Related links.

• Jurgen Klopp responds to sack question after Napoli hammer Liverpool.
• Trent Alexander-Arnold accused of a 'lack of desire' in Napoli thrashing.
• Jurgen Klopp threatens to end Napoli press conference after "embarrassing question."

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