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Former Liverpool favorite Vladimir Smicer has tipped Darwin Nunez to return to the Premier League later in his career, despite the Uruguayan ultimately failing to make the grade at Liverpool.
Nunez joined Liverpool in 2022 but tallied just 40 goals in 143 appearances for the Reds, having shown immense promise for previous side Benfica — a club for which he scored 48 goals in 85 appearances.
After three seasons at Liverpool, Nunez was sold to Al-Hilal during the summer transfer window, making way for fresh blood in Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
Nunez has registered two goals and an assist in four appearances for his new club, and given the huge drop in quality from the Premier League to the Saudi Pro League, he will likely be a prolific scorer for the Riyadh-based club.
The riches on offer to Nunez in Saudi Arabia are a huge reason behind every player's decision to move there, but having only turned 26 in June, Nunez is young enough that he could line his pockets there for a couple of seasons before returning to a top European league at some point down the line.
Speaking to Boyle Sports, who offer the latest football odds, Smicer said: “We may see Darwin Nunez back. He's a very young player.
"I think that football in Saudi Arabia… I only know the financial aspect is very interesting, very attractive, and a lot of players are playing there but some players don't like the environment of the football there, or the atmosphere at the stadiums, which are different to the Premier League.
“Some of the players are missing that and they are coming back, in Europe or playing in the Premier League. We have seen Jordan Henderson do that.
“I can see Darwin Nunez coming back one day to the Premier League, and I would be happy to see that because he was a special player, he always gave 100 percent.
“People argue he missed some chances, that happens in football. I was always behind him, but he did make me quite nervous.”
Despite his struggles in front of goal for Liverpool, he remained a favorite among supporters up until his departure in August. That fondness was reciprocated in Nunez's farewell message, as he wrote: “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.
“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.”
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