Darwin Nunez backed to make spectacular Liverpool return after World Cup

Just one year after leaving Liverpool for £45m deal to Saudi Arabia club Al Hilal, cult hero Darwin Nunez is reportedly set for a spectacular return to Anfield.

Nunez was the master of chaos in his three years in the Premier League, with a haphazard goalscoring record but a work rate that suited Jurgen Klopp's gegenpressing football philosophy.

With the arrival of Arne Slot and his Dutch total football style, Nunez found himself on the chopping block, but managed to find enough form in Saudi Arabia to earn him a spot - and the leading No.9 jersey - in Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay squad.

Now, Nunez is set for a remarkable return to the Premier League after the World Cup, with reports emerging that he will be playing at Liverpool again in the 2026/27 season.

Liverpool reportedly snapping up Darwin Nunez again

New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola faces a tough summer of business to get the Reds back on track, following a season of turmoil, but could be making ground to bring the squad back together with the old flames returning to Anfield.

Already, Mohamed Salah has made rumblings of an audacious U-turn following Arne Slot's departure, and now Liverpool could be taking the chance to bring Nunez back.

Having been made a free agent by Al Hilal, following a shock de-registration in February, Nunez recently revealed that he missed the club, opening the door to a return.

Now, reports suggest Liverpool is taking him up, in a deal which would cost them nothing but wages.

According to Uruguayan journalist Juan Pablo Romero, Nunez is 'confirmed' to be playing for Liverpool again next season, but an announcement is to be delayed until after the World Cup.

Romero, who is working close to the Uruguay camp in the US, told a fellow journalist who circulated the report.

"Darwin Núñez returns to Liverpool. The confirmation will not be given in these days since the player asked to be focused with the Uruguayan National Team," said Martin Charquero on X.

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There is a hole in the squad that Nunez could fill, given that Hugo Ekitike could be out for the entire season with his snapped achilles injury.

With Alexander Isak leading the line, a free deal to bring Nunez in as backup would be a move popular with the fans, who missed his energy in a very flat 2025/26 season.

For Liverpool, a raid of Iraola's former club, Bournemouth, could be on the cards too, as they look to bolster the attack. Brazilian winger Rayan and French forward Eli Junior Kroupi are at the top of that list, while reports suggest that PSG defender Illia Zabarnyi could be reunited with the former Cherries boss.

Given the massive spending spree last season, having Darwin Nunez in for free and a promotion for the academy prospect, Rio Ngumoah, to a more prominent role, would keep the price down on Iraola's rebuild job.

Allowing for strengthening in other departments, a replacement for Konate is at the top of the list, too.

It looks to be a busy window for Liverpool, but a familiar face returning on a free would be good business.