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Darwin Nunez has opened his account in the Saudi Pro League in just his second game for his new club. The 26-year-old continues his sharp shooting form from pre-season, during which he sealed his departure from Liverpool after three years.
The Uruguayan brought the curtain down on his Anfield stint, which will be remembered as disappointing for an $87 million signing. It concluded with 40 goals netted in 143 outings, and towards the end he was reduced to a peripheral figure under Arne Slot during last season's Premier League title triumph.
Nunez was offloaded to Al-Hilal in a $58M transfer in August, following strikes against Preston North End and Athletic Club during pre-season, and he has maintained that encouraging momentum since.
It started with Nunez finding the back of the net in three straight pre-season matches after his Saudi Arabia switch in August.
His latest landmark came with his maiden goal in the Saudi Pro League. The striker may have drawn a blank in the campaign's curtain-raiser before the international break, but wasted little time in putting that right.
A rapid counter-attack was finished off by the ex-Reds forward from point-blank range, prompting jubilant scenes from the home faithful packed inside Riyadh's Kingdom Arena. It marked Al-Hilal's first of two levellers on the evening, as they eventually shared the spoils 2-2 with Al-Qadisiya.
Posting on Instagram when his Al-Hilal move was rubber-stamped, Nunez wrote: "Thank you, Liverpool. Three years on, it's time to say goodbye.
"I'll take with me countless memories that will live with me forever.
"I leave with a full heart - thanks to the love of a crowd that never let me down and always had my back - through the highs and through the lows.
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"Liverpool will always be part of who I am. I'll miss you more than words can say.
"To all the staff and my teammates, thank you, and all the very best for the future. YNWA."
His former Liverpool No.9 jersey has now been taken on by $169M transfer deadline day acquisition Alexander Isak, who is set to make his debut for the club against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, having missed Sunday's trip to Burnley.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
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