Klopp has found his Darwin Nunez replacement
Robin Bairner
- 11 Dec 2023 02:02 CST
- 3 min read
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has found a replacement for misfiring striker Darwin Nunez, with the Reds boss looking to his homeland for inspiration.
According to a report from Sky Germany, Maximilian Beier of Hoffenheim is being followed by Liverpool, though the Reds face significant competition in the race to land the 21-year-old, who is enjoying something of a breakout Bundesliga campaign.
Beier has scored six goals and created three more in 13 Bundesliga appearances this season and only missed his first game of the campaign due to illness over the weekend.
A centre-forward who can also play off the left wing, he would be a natural replacement for Nunez, who has failed to live up to expectations since moving to Liverpool from Benfica for an initial €75 million plus potential bonuses of €25m.
The Uruguay international has become a favourite of many Reds fans thanks to his energetic and whole-hearted brand of football, but questions over the ability of the 23-year-old are gradually being raised after a nine-match run without a goal.
Indeed, Nunez has netted only 22 times in 64 outings for Liverpool – a tally below what is expected of a player who commands his hefty transfer fee.
Beier a potential bargain
Beier, meanwhile, is a player who is more typical of the profile of a Liverpool signing. He had flown under the radar until this season, yet the poacher has been one of the Bundesliga’s most impressive forwards and is starting to attract a good deal of attention.
He possesses a release clause in his Hoffenheim contract that will allow him to leave for around €30 million – but this will only become active in the summer.
Sky Germany reports that many leading clubs from the Premier League have already asked after the player and are informed about his contract, with Liverpool’s interest in the player confirmed.
It is stated that the player is heading for a summer transfer, yet the destination of this is unclear.
What is evident, though, is that Beier could become Liverpool and Klopp’s Nunez replacement if the Uruguayan cannot find his shooting boots in the months ahead.
