"We’re not going to see any improvement" - Pundit urges Liverpool to sell Darwin Nunez, names 25-year-old Premier League star as ideal replacement

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has urged the Reds to sell Darwin Nunez ahead of the January transfer window. The pundit believes Newcastle United's Alexander Isak would be a great signing to replace the Uruguayan striker.

The Merseysiders signed Nunez in 2022 from Benfica for a club record £85 million fee. After scoring 15 goals in 42 games in his debut campaign and 18 goals in 54 games last season for the Reds, Nunez has struggled to rack up the numbers this term.

The 25-year-old has netted just three times in 20 games across competitions amid underwhelming form, and Pennant believes it's time for him to depart Anfield. He said (via the Echo):

“He cost so much money and is up there with one of Liverpool's highest-paid players. He’s just not giving them what they paid for - yes, he works his socks off and the fans love him, bringing something different to the team, but ultimately you want goals."

"Especially for that price tag, you expect returns to justify that fee. I think after this season - which is his third - we’re not going to see any improvement in the fourth or fifth. This is it now, this is the final product of Darwin Nunez. No disrespect to him, but he’s not on the level as a player that Liverpool are as a team," he added.

“Liverpool has had some great No.9s in the past, and Nunez falls short of them. I think it’d be wise to offload him somewhere in Europe and invest the money they get for him elsewhere," Pennant said.

He added, urging the Reds to sign Alexander Isak:

“I think they should be looking at signing Alexander Isak in January. He scores every time he plays against Liverpool since he’s joined! Not only that, but he’s also a proven goalscorer and is a real handful for defenders. His movement is great, he’s quick and can bring in other players as well. He has all the attributes of fantastic No.9."

The Reds will next face Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night (December 18).

Jermaine Pennant names one position in which Liverpool need 'back-up options'

Jermaine Pennant believes Arne Slot has to reinforce his defense in the January transfer window in order to win the Premier League and the Champions League.

The Merseysiders sit at the summit of the league table, two points ahead of second-placed Chelsea with a game in hand. They also lead the Champions League standings by three points, having won all their matches (six) in Europe so far this season.

While they boast the record for the least number of goals conceded (14) across both competitions so far this campaign, Pennant feels the Reds need a better backup option than Jarrel Quansah in the backline.

He said (via the aforementioned outlet):

“Liverpool do need some back-up options in defence because although Joe Gomez has been fantastic in that centre-back role when filling in, Liverpool will need more options in the middle if Gomez has to take over on the left or right."

"Sadly, Jarell Quansah doesn’t look to be the same player he was last season, he always looks nervous on the ball now and makes a few mistakes that he didn’t use to make," he added.