According to reports, Liverpool Echo published news today that many Liverpool fans were waiting to hear: Darwin Nunez’s journey has ended, and he will leave the club at the start of the summer. The tall Uruguayan striker had a strange and turbulent spell at Anfield and ultimately failed to prove himself.

Darwin moved from Benfica to Liverpool in the summer of 2022 for a massive €85 million deal. The Reds had sold Sadio Mané, and Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino had not fully satisfied Klopp. The German manager wanted a strong forward with high goal-scoring ability to lead Liverpool’s attack—someone like Erling Haaland at Manchester City.

Many were surprised by Liverpool’s decision, believing Darwin was not yet ready for the Premier League. Before joining Benfica, he had played one season at Almería in Spain’s second division and two seasons at Benfica.

Although many still blame Klopp for signing Darwin, it is interesting to note that the German coach did not request his signing. Klopp and his staff worked with the scouting department to find a classic No. 9 but failed. He told Liverpool’s executives that he was in no rush, as he already had forwards like Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, and Luis Díaz.

However, it was Gordon, one of Fenway Sports Group’s executives, and Julian Ward, Liverpool’s sporting director, who insisted on signing Darwin using their famous mathematical model—the same model they claimed had led them to appoint Jürgen Klopp. Liverpool’s executives repeatedly presented data-filled PowerPoints to Klopp, arguing that their model showed Darwin was the best No. 9 in Europe after Haaland and Rasmus Højlund (whom Atalanta had prioritized). Although Klopp was not entirely convinced, Gordon made the final decision, and Darwin was signed for €85 million.

But Darwin never found consistency. While fans passionately supported him for a long time, their enthusiasm waned over time. The striker, who has recently become a subject of mockery, is now regarded as one of Liverpool’s most wasteful forwards.

Darwin excels in some aspects. He is excellent at controlling and retaining the ball under pressure and contributes defensively. He quickly understands tactical instructions and executes his role beautifully—but that’s not what was expected of him. Darwin was supposed to score goals at Liverpool, yet he repeatedly proved he is not a No. 9.

Darwin’s time at Liverpool will soon come to an end. His name will always be remembered as the club’s most expensive signing (so far), but it is unlikely that in a few years, anyone will recall him as one of Liverpool’s standout forwards.