How Darwin Nunez is Performing at Al Hilal Following Liverpool Move

Liverpool, thanks to their typically brilliant recruitment, are a club steeped in immense history and silverware – but that's not to say that they've always got it right from a player perspective. And Darwin Nunez's lofty move from Benfica in the summer of 2022 is the perfect example of that: in 143 outings for the Reds, the centre-forward notched 40 goals and 26 assists.

His numbers and one-off moments aside, Nunez was not a striker of the level needed by Liverpool, who won their second Premier League title in 2024/25 in Arne Slot's first season at the Anfield helm. Lifting the title was Nunez's final hurrah in the red of Liverpool given he was shipped off to Al Hilal over the summer, making way for Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: After Liverpool's fruitful summer of spending in 2025, Darwin Nunez is now the club's fourth-most expensive arrival of all time.

Still just 26 years of age, Nunez – a 36-cap, 13-goal Uruguay international – has plenty of years left in the tank and a return to the England top flight is certainly on the cards. But (for now at least) he is plying his trade in Saudi Arabia for Simone Inzaghi's Al Hilal, a team including the likes of Ruben Neves, Kalidou Kouliably and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

A Closer Look at Nunez's Start to Life in Saudi Arabia

But how has his start to life in the Middle East been? Since his transfer, Artigas-born Nunez has turned out on just five occasions – but he already has four goals and two assists to boot. His first competitive match for the Saudi Pro League (SPL) outfit came at the end of August, a 2-0 win over Al-Riyadh.

Unable to get on the scoresheet on that occasion despite playing 85 minutes, Nunez opened his account in the next match against Al-Qadsiah as Inzaghi's men picked up a point with a 2-2 draw. His side followed that up with a 3-3 draw with Al-Ahli and the striker in question added an assist to his overally tally, teeing up Malcom in the 24th minute.

A knee injury saw him ruled out of Al Hilal's 3-1 victory over Al-Okhdood – but Nunez is back with a bang after his recent display against Al-Ettifaq. His best display of the 2025/26 campaign thus far, Nunez plundered two goals and an additional assist; and his off-the-ball work was equally impressive.

Statistically, the line-leader – who lined up alongside Marcos Leonardo in a two-man striker partnership – took 35 touches of the ball, five of which were in the opposition box, and all three of his shots (100%) were on target.

In addition, he created a total of three chances against Al-Ettifaq and was defensively sound, too, by winning four of his eight (50%) ground duels and pressing from the front. That's evidenced by his one tackle, two clearances and two recoveries.

Given the huge chasm in quality between the Premier League and the Saudi Pro League, there is every chance that Nunez will be utterly prolific for his current employers – and his in-front-of-goal potency could be a key factor in them usurping Al-Ittihad as the champions of Saudi Arabia. Last season, they missed out by just eight points.

Al Hilal Fans Wax Poetic About Nunez's Recent Displays

Despite failing to make the grade on Merseyside, former Liverpool ace Vladimir Smicer has tipped Nunez to make a return to the Premier League in the years to come. "We may see Darwin Nunez back. He's a very young player," he said before heaping praise on the hard-working Uruguayan, who was constantly slammed by the Anfield faithful.

"I can see Darwin Nunez coming back one day to the Premier League, and I would be happy to see that because he was a special player, he always gave 100 percent," he said. "People argue he missed some chances, that happens in football. I was always behind him, but he did make me quite nervous.”

Nunez, however, is not only earning rave reviews from Smicer – but the Al Hilal faithful are also more than pleased with how well he's adapted to life in Saudi Arabia. "You are a special player," one wrote in response to Nunez's social media post following their recent 5-0 win over Al-Ettifaq before another thanked him for his efforts:

"Congratulations – the best is yet to come! Darwin Nunez delivered a true masterclass today, a complete striker's performance, strong in both defence and attack, focused and selfless. You played for the team, not for the headlines, a perfect example of passion and teamwork."

Another fan took it one step further by insinuating that he is a better player than Al-Nassr frontman Cristiano Ronaldo by saying, "The man of the match and the best striker in the league, Al Hilal fans trust you and support you strongly." Another, in their praise for Nunez, kept it simple by writing: "You are a special player."

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