Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, The Redmen TV's Dan Clubbe said that while there is frustration around a potential deal, a move away from Liverpool would ultimately suit both club and player.
"It's not necessarily disappointment - the overriding feeling is frustration," Clubbe said. "[Nunez] came in for a lot of money and there was a lot of expectation around him.
"The timing of his signing was interesting. He came in at the same time as Erling Haaland. The comparison was made from the get-go and Nunez never lived up to those levels.
"He was a Jurgen Klopp-led signing, which brought danger. Liverpool's recruitment had been so well thought-out, smart and data-driven. To remove from that and allow Klopp to have free rein maybe was too much of a gamble.
"Given the money we spent on him, he probably has come some way short of what we expected, so it probably is best for both parties that he moves on."
'It becomes really hard to separate yourself from it'published at 11:44 BST 7 August
11:44 BST 7 August
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Danielle Sarver Coombs
When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.
In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.
And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.
"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.
"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.
"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.
"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.
"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."
A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.
But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.
"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.
"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."
As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?
"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.
"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.
"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."
Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.
Gossip: Reds target Isak told to train alonepublished at 07:41 BST 7 August
07:41 BST 7 August
Sweden striker Alexander Isak has been told to train alone at Newcastle United amid interest in him from Liverpool, while the 25-year-old also missed a family day for the players that was hosted by the club. (Mirror), external
RB Leipzig are discussing contract terms with Liverpool and England Under-21 midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, before they make a formal transfer offer. (Fabrizio Romano), external
'Ray Kennedy sealed the deal for me' - fan storiespublished at 16:32 BST 6 August
16:32 BST 6 August
This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Liverpool.
Here is a selection of your submissions:
Image caption,
Simon: We were on a caravan holiday in Tenby, Wales around 1985 and Ray Kennedy ran a football camp for us kids. I was already a Red (my older brother wouldn't let me support Spurs, thank God!) but meeting Ray and him letting us try on one of his England caps sealed the deal!
Mark: My love affair started in May 1974 when I watched Super Kev steal the show in the FA Cup final. I was nine and he was my instant hero. It was also the first time I had seen and heard the Red Army. I was in such awe. Even on our black and white telly I was in love. Some 51 years later and about as many trophy lifts watched, with many tears shed, my love has never waned. YNWA
Image caption,
Tanya: Rayaan (9) and Sami (7) absolutely love Liverpool FC (just like their dad, uncles and cousins). They were lucky enough to get tickets for the last game of the season against Palace and had the best day of their lives watching the team lift the trophy. They have proudly hung their own Premier League medals in their bedrooms! Their favourite player is Mohamed Salah and one of their other highlights of the season was going to the Gtech and watching Darwin Nunez score a brace against Brentford in injury time!
Is it time for Liverpool to sell Nunez?published at 15:26 BST 6 August
15:26 BST 6 August
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool are in talks with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal over Darwin Nunez, with the Reds considering selling the striker, who joined from Benfica in 2022 for an initial fee of £64.1m.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed some memorable moments with the Anfield club, such as January's match-winning late double at Brentford, but has struggled to make an impact consistently.
He has scored 25 Premier League goals, underperforming his expected goals (xG) total by 8.6. That is the second-worst record of any player over the past three years, with only Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Everton faring worse.
The league's best finishers typically register shot-conversion rates of over 20%, but Nunez's percentage of 11.1% ranks only 95th. When it comes to shot accuracy, meaning the proportion of efforts directed on target, he also barely scrapes into the top 100.
There is no lack of volume for the striker, who sits inside the top 10 for both shots and shots on target, despite only starting 49 top-flight matches for the Merseysiders.
He has also arguably been unlucky, hitting the woodwork 14 times - the most by any player since 2022-23.
But, ultimately, a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal may have persuaded Liverpool now is the time to cash in on the Uruguayan.
Liverpool in talks with Al-Hilal over Nunezpublished at 12:55 BST 6 August
12:55 BST 6 August
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Talks between Liverpool and Al-Hilal over striker Darwin Nunez have opened and are progressing.
There is no agreement yet, and any move will then be down to Uruguay international Nunez agreeing personal terms with the Saudi Pro League side, who are coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi.
Offloading Nunez - who was also a Napoli target during the summer - would financially aid Liverpool's efforts to land Newcastle striker Alexander Isak this window.
The 26-year-old has scored 40 goals in 143 appearances for the Reds since arriving from Benfica in the summer of 2022.
'We have a good group... everybody is eager to start now' published at 12:54 BST 6 August
12:54 BST 6 August
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo believes the team are ready to hit the ground running as they prepare for Sunday's Community Shield against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
With several new faces joining the squad this summer, Gakpo says Liverpool's tight-knit dressing room has made it easy for arrivals to settle quickly, and he is hopeful the Reds can start the season on the front foot by lifting silverware in the annual curtain-raiser and then carry that momentum into the Premier League campaign.
"It was a good pre-season from the team. I think we worked very hard and enjoyed some good games as well. I think everybody is eager to start now this upcoming weekend. I can't wait," Gakpo told club media., external
"We have a good group in general. That makes it maybe a little bit easier to adapt for new players to come in. I think a lot of the players knew each other, maybe from playing against each other in the national team or things like this. I think they adapted well and quickly - hopefully they feel at home as well.
"Obviously, we're going to play the Community Shield. It's going to be an important game for us to start the season well, and that's what we're here for. We're going to give it our best shot."
Liverpool 'have heeded wisdom of one of their greatest icons'published at 11:51 BST 6 August
11:51 BST 6 August
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Will Liverpool be even better this season than last?
They have an army of modern technical advisers but they have heeded the wisdom of one of their greatest historic icons.
Former manager Bill Shankly is remembered for his iconic one-liners, none more than: "Football isn't a matter of life and death - it's more important than that."
For those who now think that trite or even tasteless, it was meant as a joke, an exaggeration, a bit of fun with words - nothing more.
I was always more impressed with his idea that "you must always strengthen when you are at the top, before your power starts to fade". Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu would have been proud of that ideology.
It is easier said than done, however. Bringing an expensive bunch of new players into the group after winning a major trophy can put some of the current squad's noses out of joint. Some might think: "Are they replacing me already, after all I have done for them?"
Liverpool cannot afford to damage the brilliant team spirit they have, so the personalities of the new recruits are as vital as how you sell their arrival to the rest of the players.
They cannot be allowed to upset the on-field balance either. Some players just work perfectly together - there is a synergy that cannot be measured by stats. They understand each other and help each other, sometimes even without knowing they are doing it.
There is also the thought that one day Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will slow down with age or get injured more frequently. While everybody still backs the Reds as favourites, could these problems beset Arne Slot's team this season?
Almost certainly not. They have recruited brilliantly and are still the team to beat, even if some of us are flailing around trying to find a weakness - which probably is not there.
Who does Opta's Supercomputer put in the title race?published at 11:51 BST 6 August
11:51 BST 6 August
Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10,000 times.
Image source, Opta
Last season promised a thrilling title race between Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool - but in the end it was anything but.
Arne Slot was given just a 5.1% chance of winning the Premier League in his debut season, but expectations are far higher now.
Despite major changes - including the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz, and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota - Liverpool have rebuilt with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike.
The Opta supercomputer now makes them title favourites, winning in 28.5% of simulations.
Arsenal have finished runners-up for three straight seasons. This could be their moment, especially with Viktor Gyokeres finally giving Mikel Arteta a true number nine. Their title odds have nearly doubled to 24.3%, though another second-place finish remains the most likely outcome.
City were aiming for a historic fifth consecutive title but stumbled, largely due to Rodri's long-term injury. With him fit again, Pep Guardiola will demand a return to form. Their supercomputer-backed chances have dropped sharply this season however, - from 82.2% to just 18.8%.
Fresh off a Club World Cup win, Chelsea are aiming for their first league title since 2017. Enzo Maresca's young side has potential, but consistency is the big question.
They win the league in 8.8% of sims, with another fourth-place finish considered the most likely.
Gossip: Elliott wanted by Leipzigpublished at 07:12 BST 6 August
07:12 BST 6 August
RB Leipzig have contacted Liverpool over the potential signing of English midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, with the Reds wanting £40m plus a buy-back option, or above £50m without one. (The Athletic - subscription required), external
Liverpool have been looking at a number of young centre-backs across Europe, including Parma's 18-year-old Italian Giovanni Leoni. (Times - subscription required), external
Stefan Bajcetic could be on his way to Celtic from Liverpool after Trey Nyoni has put himself in the frame to be a frontrunner to be part of Arne Slot's side (Football Insider, external).
'My DNA is in the ground' - fan storiespublished at 16:03 BST 5 August
16:03 BST 5 August
We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so we asked you to share why you fell in love with Liverpool.
Here is a selection of your submissions:
Image caption,
Carl: Liverpool FC is in the blood - my DNA is in the ground.
Bill Shankly often spoke of there being one casket buried under the Kop - many ashes were scattered but only one casket buried. The ashes of my grandad, about a foot down in the goal in the Kop. Shankly would say the man under the Kop would head goals in and head them out, he referred to him as the invisible menace.
It's something I've been hugely proud of, to know my DNA is in that ground. My roots are part of one of the things that makes Liverpool special and unique.
My grandmother wrote to the club and Shankly replied personally. He was buried on a cold and frosty morning - his name was Henry Jones.
Rita: My Dad grew up on Wilburn Street. When he looked left out of his front door, Goodison Park was right there. Him and my whole family (bar one cousin on my Mum's side) were Evertonians.
As a child in the 70s, I didn't really get football apart from the goals, but the thing that made me support Liverpool was their song. I first heard You'll Never Walk Alone at the 1971 FA Cup final (we lost to Arsenal) and that was that.
By the 1974 FA Cup final (we beat Newcastle), my teddy bear was wearing a red and white scarf that my Mum had "helped" me knit and I had team posters on my bedroom wall. I've followed them ever since.
Image caption,
Rosario: I've been a Liverpool fan since I was 14 years old (now I'm 36).
In 2003, I was really looking for the shirt - in Argentina - but I couldn't find it anywhere! Each negative answer would give me the impetus to talk about the club and make it known. On every birthday, my grandfather would give me some VHS tapes to record Liverpool matches.
Then, in 2014, I realised my dream of travelling to England for the first time. I painted a Liverbird flag and took it to Anfield. Then I went back in 2016 and 2024.
This is a picture of my boyfriend proposing to me in May 2024 while we were doing the Anfield Stadium Tour. That day was very special also because I finally got to see my Anfield Stone outside the stadium for the first time. The ring is engraved with YNWA on the inside. It was an unforgettable trip - as I later got to attend Jürgen Klopp's last match, but I did it alone because my boyfriend went to London to see his beloved Arsenal. We met 15 years ago due to our passion for English football.
So join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love Liverpool.
Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?
'I don't think about it' - Wirtz on price tagpublished at 12:13 BST 5 August
12:13 BST 5 August
Image source, Getty Images
Florian Wirtz says he does nt think about his transfer price tag as he settles into life at Liverpool and prepares for Sunday's Community Shield fixture against Crystal Palace.
The German, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £100m, featured in Monday's friendly win over Athletic Bilbao and said: "I don't think about it. I just want to play football and how much money the clubs pay between each other, it doesn't matter.
"Of course the big challenge is to win the title again and it is the most difficult thing so (I will) try and just create chances and also work against the ball.
"I can also run a lot so (I will) bring this to the team and then with the ball I can make the team better and bring my team-mates into better situations.
"I came because I thought I could fit in this team and I am enjoying to play with these players and getting every time a little bit better so I am happy with how it is going."
Wirtz, 22, scored 57 times in 197 outings for Leverkusen.
He found the net for Liverpool in their victory over Yokohama F. Marinos last week and hit the bar with a header in Monday's win over Bilbao.
"I am a player who needs freedom on the pitch and the manager gives it to me because I have to respect the position and the players around me," he added.
"I will try to find the right places to be and the right spaces to get the ball and to be dangerous and create chances - I have not played a match in the Premier League but I am looking forward and that is why I came."
'There can be regrets at the end of your career'published at 11:49 BST 5 August
11:49 BST 5 August
Media caption,
Isak wants to 'win Champions League, not play in it' - Warnock
As the Alexander Isak transfer saga continues to rumble on, the team on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club have been discussing the striker's future, with Newcastle holding out for a record transfer fee after an initial Liverpool bid.
The i-Paper's Daniel Storey and Pat Nevin questioned Isak's behaviour.
But former Reds defender Stephen Warnock said he can understand why Isak has separated himself from the squad to some extent.
Warnock says the Sweden international is "not thinking of playing in the Champions League, he is thinking of winning it".
He added: "In Isak's mind that is a very different conversation, that is a different career path."
Football provides 'connections' in 'increasingly lonely' worldpublished at 11:49 BST 5 August
11:49 BST 5 August
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
'Why did you fall in love with your club?'
This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers.
Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter.
The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team.
But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do?
"A lot of it comes down to our identity," researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport.
"We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship.
"In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger."
Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link.
Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen.
"The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it," Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition.
"It's handed down from generation to generation."
The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating.
An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'.
"With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming," Sarver Coombs added.
"Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part.
"But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement."
Who is 16-year-old Ngumoha?published at 11:39 BST 5 August
11:39 BST 5 August
Image source, Getty Images
Rio Ngumoha, who is the second youngest Liverpool player to play in a competitive game ever, shone again in pre-season to get fans wondering if he could be part of the first team this year.
The Reds played an unusual double header against Athletic Bilbao, with their second XIs meeting at 17:00 BST and their first teams facing off at 20:00.
England Under-17 forward Ngumoha started the first game - and had a goal and assist to his name in the opening five minutes.
"He is such an excellent prospect," said ex-Reds defender Gary Gillespie on LFC TV.
"The difficulty is managing expectations but it's hard to put a lid on it."
Liverpool fans were singing his name as Curtis Jones urged them to show their appreciation after he caused the La Liga side all kinds of problems with his dribbling and trickery.
The 16-year-old left to a standing ovation midway through the second half.
"I'm not trying to rush because I'm still only young," said Ngumoha last week.
"But at the same time, I just want to show the manager what I can do and not get too complacent. I just want to do bigger and better things for me and the club."
'Do not put him out on loan' - fans on Ngumohapublished at 09:14 BST 5 August
09:14 BST 5 August
Image source, Getty Images
After another impressive pre-season perfrormance from Rio Ngumoha, we asked if you want to see the 16 year-old in Liverpool's first team this season.
Here are some of your comments:
Mark: Rio should be in the main squad. If you are good enough then you are old enough. But wrap him in cotton wool - he is going to be a star.
Carl: I think Rio has an exciting future ahead of him. He is only 16 so I think Liverpool should send him out on loan to Tranmere. Go an help them in League Two.
Nigel: Baby steps. We do not want him to think he is the finished article - I don't know his personality, some can handle it but most cannot. A lot of maturing and growing still to come.
Dan: He glides past people with ease, you can see his football IQ is beyond his years, his positioning, passing, he has everything to be the next world beater. Hopefully Arne gives him a chance and with Diaz off to pastures new it opens up a slot for him on the left. Yes it's preseason but I think he is capable of doing that on a weekly basis in the Premier League.
Eugene: Do not put him out on loan. Keep him at the club. He should make substitute appearances in the league and perhaps play all League Cup and FA cup games.
Slot unhappy with set-piece goalspublished at 07:30 BST 5 August
07:30 BST 5 August
Image source, Getty Images
Arne Slot says he was pleased with both the offensive and defensive display in Liverpool's final pre-season matches against Athletic Bilbao.
The Reds played back-to-back games against the Spanish side on Monday with an aggregate score of 7-3.
"I think in both games we created a lot of chances so that's very pleasing to see because we definitely didn't score every chance we had," Slot said. "That pleased me most, the ability to create the chances and even to score seven goals over two games is also good.
"The other games in pre-season, I think we've conceded a few chances too much. Today we hardly conceded anything at all, so that pleased me as well. But then to concede, especially in the second game, two set-piece goals, that's not what you want – especially if you play Crystal Palace [on Sunday] who are a team that are very strong on set-pieces."
On his attacking options: "We've lost two quality players with Diogo [Jota] and Luis Diaz but we've added with Hugo [Ekitike] a player that's going to be a very good player for us. Rio [Ngumoha] is showing good things every time in pre-season."
Reds see off Bilbao in two matchespublished at 07:28 BST 5 August
07:28 BST 5 August
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool finished their pre-season campaign with back-to-back victories against Athletic Bilbao.
The first game was a 4-1 victory over the La Liga side, with goals from Darwin Nunez, Ben Doak, Harvey Elliott and 16 year-old Rio Ngumoha - who opened the scoring in the match on his unofficial Anfield debut.
In game two, a goal from Mohamed Salah and a brace from Coady Gakpo saw Arne Slot's men run out 3-2 victors.
Up next for the Reds is Sunday's Community Shield with Crystal Palace before the Premier League campaign kicks off next week.
Image source, Getty Images
