Gary Neville says Liverpool transfer decision could ‘cost them the title’

Gary Neville believes selling Darwin Nunez in January could ‘cost Liverpool the Premier League title’.

Nunez has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield since falling out of favour under Arne Slot.

Liverpool were willing to spend up to £85m to sign Nunez in the summer of 2022 but the Uruguay international is turning into a bit-part player, starting just seven league games this season.

Nunez has shown glimpses of his immense potential since moving from Benfica but has largely frustrated Liverpool fans, scoring just four goals this season and missing a number of chances.

Despite his underwhelming spell on Merseyside, Nunez still has admirers around the world, with Saudi Pro League Club Al-Hilal reportedly keen to sign him during the January transfer window.

Anfield Watch reported earlier this week that Liverpool had even rejected a £70m bid from Al-Hilal, who are now considering making a second, improved offer.

Anfield legend Jamie Carragher admits he would ‘take the risk’ of selling Nunez but Neville believes his departure could harm Liverpool’s title chances.

Liverpool sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League and have a game in hand over their nearest rivals, Arsenal.

Asked if he would sell Nunez for £70m during the January transfer window, Carragher said on The Overlap: ‘Yes.

‘The conundrum is Liverpool have [Diogo] Jota as another option up front but he’s very injury-prone so you could leave yourself a bit short.

‘If you’re sure that bid is still going to be there in the summer you probably keep him [in January] but if you’re not sure that money will still be there this summer… it’s a lot of money.

‘I would take the risk of selling him. Under Jurgen Klopp he was alright, it wasn’t great but it was okay because of that mad football, he would use his pace and have loads of shots.

‘It’s a bit more slow and measured [under Arne Slot] and he’s almost just standing there, it’s not ideal for him.’

Ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright also believes Liverpool should cash in on Nunez, saying: ‘At this stage he should be doing a lot better than he’s doing in respects to his finishing.

‘If Liverpool can get £70m back for him, that is great business, great business.

‘You’ve got to roll the dice on that I think. If it was under Klopp I would keep him but it’s bypassing him at the minute.’

Neville has previously been critical of big-money Liverpool signing Nunez but says he could play a pivotal role in the second-half of the season as the Reds chase a 20th league title.

The Manchester United hero said: ‘If I’m the owner I’m saying to the sporting director and coach that we need to accept that offer but would it cost us the league?

‘The coach can sit there quite relaxed but the sporting director will think he wants to take that money but does that leave Arne Slot short?

‘I would keep him. I would keep him until the end of the season because I wouldn’t want to risk the league. He is streaky and he can go on a run of goals.’

Liverpool could only draw 1-1 with surprise title challengers Nottingham Forest last time out. Slot’s side travel to west London this weekend to take on Brentford.

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