{"id":26556,"date":"2025-11-12T02:05:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T07:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/11\/12\/liverpools-nervous-breakdown-risks-becoming-nunez-2-0\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T02:05:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T07:05:19","slug":"liverpools-nervous-breakdown-risks-becoming-nunez-2-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/11\/12\/liverpools-nervous-breakdown-risks-becoming-nunez-2-0\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool&#8217;s &#8216;nervous breakdown&#8217; risks becoming Nunez 2.0"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/11\/12\/liverpools-nervous-breakdown-risks-becoming-nunez-2-0\/#Why_Liverpool_sold_Darwin_Nunez\" >Why Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/11\/12\/liverpools-nervous-breakdown-risks-becoming-nunez-2-0\/#Liverpool_star_on_the_verge_of_becoming_Nunez_20\" >Liverpool star on the verge of becoming Nunez 2.0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Liverpool made significant changes in the summer transfer window, with no team ever spending more than \u00a3400m in a single transfer window.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>Although a high volume of sales meant their net spending fell short of Premier League leaders Arsenal, the scale of Liverpool&#8217;s transformation cannot be underestimated, with FSG breaking English transfer records twice.<\/p>\n<p>First, Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for \u00a3116m. The world-class playmaker has been one of the most worrying parts of Arne Slott&#8217;s side&#8217;s struggles this season, but is yet to score or assist in the top flight.<\/p>\n<p>    Alexander Isak was also a concern and was signed for \u00a3125m on deadline day. The former Newcastle United striker was dubbed the &#8220;best striker in the Premier League&#8221; by Sky Sports&#8217; Jamie Carragher last year, but has struggled to click with injuries and slot wingers, with just one goal and one assist in all competitions so far.<\/p>\n<p>These players need to perform well. I&#8217;m sure you will. After all, these are two of the best in the world. However, the failed deal with Darwin Nu\u00f1ez serves as a warning that FSG is probably not paying attention.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-liverpool-sold-darwin-nunez\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Liverpool_sold_Darwin_Nunez\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Why Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Nunez is one of Liverpool&#8217;s biggest and most frustrating mysteries of recent times. A maverick forward, the 25-year-old was woefully inconsistent throughout his three years at the club, scoring just 25 goals in total in the Premier League and missing out on many more golden chances.<\/p>\n<p>    Given that he was signed from Benfica for a club-record \u00a385m (which he did not receive due to a clause not being met), Nunez could only be considered a botched deal, failing to put together the prolific form required to lead Liverpool&#8217;s front line.<\/p>\n<p>Players like Wirtz and Isak will no doubt worry about facing the same assumed reputation, but both arrived at Liverpool from a higher position than Nunez, who was sold to Al Hilal this summer.<\/p>\n<p>In any case, while Nunez will be fondly remembered for his efforts and, most of all, his tenacity in a Liverpool shirt, it is clear that had Liverpool&#8217;s fortunes been darker throughout his years at the club, he would have faced a more stinging rebuke.<\/p>\n<p>And that may be the case for a certain new Redman. The player arrived this summer after paying a hefty fee and seems to have fallen in love with the slot system. In this respect, he is also in danger of falling into a similar category.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-liverpool-star-in-danger-of-becoming-nunez-2-0\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Liverpool_star_on_the_verge_of_becoming_Nunez_20\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Liverpool star on the verge of becoming Nunez 2.0<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Signed from Bournemouth in the summer for a fee of \u00a345 million, Kelkes arrived at Liverpool with the weight of expectations and a reputation as one of the most exciting young left-backs in the world.<\/p>\n<p>Despite impressing for Andoni Iraola&#8217;s side last year, Kerkes suffered a setback in his first few months on Merseyside.<\/p>\n<p>    Querquez&#8217;s transfer fee may be less than half that of a player like Nunez, but it&#8217;s still a significant amount for a full-back, and if he can&#8217;t maintain consistent form, he could plummet into similar territory as the Uruguayan.<\/p>\n<p>There is no doubt that this youngster has what it takes to succeed at Liverpool. After all, he was included in the PFA Team of the Year for 2024\/25.<\/p>\n<p>But Kerkes has really struggled in his first few months at Liverpool, overshadowed by the south coast star.<\/p>\n<p>Inconsistent and at odds with his assigned tactical role, the 22-year-old has lost his place in the starting XI in recent weeks and has been unable to effectively take part in the build-up.<\/p>\n<p>    Last season, Kelkes ranked in the top 12% of Premier League full-backs in progressive carries per 90 (2.86), but his ranking has slipped under Slott, and this year he ranks in the bottom 36% with an average of 1.55 (data courtesy of FBref).<\/p>\n<section class=\"emaki-custom-block emaki-custom-note\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<div class=\"emaki-custom note\" id=\"custom_block_25\">\n<div class=\"custom_block-content note\">\n<p>A carry is considered progressive if the ball moves toward the opponent&#8217;s goal at least 10 yards from the starting point or is carried into the penalty area.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>But the far-reaching change in Kerkes&#8217; tactical role is more clearly understood when looking at the extent of his poor form since his big-money move to Liverpool.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"3\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>premier league milos kerkes<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Statistics (* per match)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>24\/25<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>25\/26<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Match (start)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>38(38)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>10(9)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>the goal<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>assist<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>touch*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>59.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>50.8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Exact path*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>28.6 (80%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>27.5 (86%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Opportunities created*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Dribble (successful)*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>collect*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4.7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Tackle + Interception*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>clearance*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Win a duel*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4.0 (54%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3.7 (61%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>error that occurred<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4 times<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"3\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><em>Data via Sofascore<\/em><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>The \u00a375,000-a-week talent can no longer make overlapping runs into the box and has also failed to find fluency and balance in his creativity this season. It&#8217;s hard to see what he will offer his new club at this point, considering he was branded a &#8220;nervous disabled man&#8221; by pundit Jamie Redknapp. That is why he has been on the bench for the Reds&#8217; last two games in both the Premier League and Champions League.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, it is too early to fire Mr. Kerkes, and this discussion is designed to highlight the need for improvement on Kerkes&#8217; part, but it also offers a hope for patience. He is a young and talented left-back but has struggled to perform in a dysfunctional system over recent months.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s not forget that Robertson struggled to adapt to Klopp&#8217;s side after joining from relegated Hull City in 2016 for around \u00a38m. Imagine if Liverpool had released the Scottish player after a rocky first year and let him go before he developed.<\/p>\n<p>    Similarly, it is impossible to ignore the depth of Kerkes&#8217; woes since joining Liverpool, as he has been too incongruous with aspects of the system in the slot.<\/p>\n<p>It is a bit confusing that Kerkes was signed for such a large fee, given that the manager needs a big contribution from his full-backs in the build-up. He is an athletic, close-to-the-touchline type of player who flies up and down to join the attack and add width to the flanks.<\/p>\n<p>Whether Liverpool can turn the young Hungarian into a superstar is anyone&#8217;s guess at this stage, but they do know he needs to work harder to avoid falling into the category of previous big-money signings like Nunez, who achieved great heights in smaller stadiums but ultimately stumbled when heading to Anfield Road and wearing Liverpool&#8217;s bulky kit.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Liverpool made significant changes in the summer transfer window, with no team ever spending more than \u00a3400m in a single transfer window. Although a high volume of sales meant their net spending fell short of Premier League leaders Arsenal, the scale of Liverpool&#8217;s transformation cannot be underestimated, with FSG breaking English transfer records twice. First, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26557,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[3505,40,609,3266,1212,4677],"class_list":{"0":"post-26556","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-breakdown","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-liverpools","11":"tag-nervous","12":"tag-nunez","13":"tag-risks"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26556","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26556"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26556\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}