Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool is missing player who was cut from squad

Liverpool's squad underwent an overhaul last summer and one of the departures saw Darwin Nunez exit the club to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal

Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool is currently missing Darwin Nunez(Image: No Tippy Tappy Football/YouTube)

Wayne Rooney believes that Liverpool is missing Darwin Nunez this season, following his move to Saudi Arabia last summer.

Liverpool's squad underwent an overhaul last summer, with Nunez among the players from the 2024-25 title-winning squad who are no longer at the club.

Nunez and the late Diogo Jota were Liverpool's main strikers last season, while Arne Slot now has Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak at his disposal. In spite of Nunez's struggles at Liverpool, Rooney believes he has proved to be a big miss for the squad during what has been a tough season for the Reds.

“Look at Liverpool from last season to now," Rooney said. "I think Salah and Van Dijk haven’t been at their best. You’ve got Trent [Alexander-Arnold] missing. Robertson hasn’t played a lot of games, Luis Diaz [left], the Jota situation.

“Even Nunez brought something. I know he wasn’t great, but he brought something to the team. Liverpool have lost a lot of players, so there is a sort of rebuild.”

Nunez tallied double figures in each of his first two seasons with Liverpool, but the departure of Jurgen Klopp in 2024 spelled bad news for Nunez, who was primarily used as a substitute by Slot.

Nunez appeared 47 times for Liverpool in all competitions last term, but only 17 of those came as a starter, and he managed just seven goals.

Upon confirmation of his departure from Liverpool, as he signed for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Nunez shared a farewell message on social media, writing: “Thank you, Liverpool.

Darwin Nunez playing for Al Hilal(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

“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.

“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."

Nunez's spell in Saudi Arabia has not gone to plan, as last week he was removed from Al Hilal's squad list for the Saudi Pro League following the club's acquisition of Karim Benzema.

Clubs in the Saudi Pro League are allowed 10 foreign players in their 25-man squads, and Nunez was removed to make room for Benzema, who made the switch from Al Ittihad earlier this month.