Nunez's signing by Liverpool in 2022 was based on his impressive 2021/22 season with Benfica, where he scored 26 goals in 28 Portuguese league games. However, this season was an anomaly, as his previous campaign with Benfica saw him score only nine goals and nine assists in 36 domestic games.

Benfica's own expectations may have been influenced by Nunez's goalscoring record at Almeria in the Spanish Segunda Division, where he averaged one goal per game. However, this was in a league where he was clearly too good for, and Liverpool's first Premier League season with Nunez saw him score nine goals in 29 games, a reasonable but not spectacular start.

The 2023/24 season saw a slight improvement to 11 goals, but doubts about his suitability for the team began to creep in. His shot conversion rate was a low 12.8%, and he missed 27 big chances, the most in a single season in his career.

Even his movement became predictable, and his passing was a poor 71.6%, although this was his best return in a league season. The arrival of Arne Slot as Liverpool's manager was seen as an opportunity for Nunez to take a step forward, but he started only eight of 30 Premier League games in 2024/25, and his return of five goals was not enough.

Body language is often a visible indicator of mindset, and Nunez looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. A parting of the ways with Liverpool seemed inevitable, and a lack of interest from other big clubs in Europe will have hit him hard.

However, it's possible that Nunez will rediscover his scoring touch in the Saudi Pro League, and that this could lead to an offer from any clubs in the big five leagues in future. With so much of his career still in front of him, the player needs to use this as fuel and motivation to climb back towards his best level.

If he's unwilling or unable to do so, he'll be just another player that didn't come close to fulfilling his potential.