Selling Nunez will cost Liverpool the title, according to Neville

Eight-time Premier League winner-turned-pundit Gary Neville has suggested that selling striker Darwin Nunez could cost Liverpool the title.

Arne Slot’s side are currently four points clear of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand going into their weekend game away to Brentford.

Nunez, meanwhile, have scored just two league goals this season, starting only seven matches, and has been linked with a move away in January.

Liverpool have reportedly knocked back interest in the Uruguayan from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, and Neville believes that they should stand firm until the summer at least.

“If I’m the owner, I’m saying to the sporting director and coach that we need to accept that offer,” he said. “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. 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.”

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Nunez scored 18 goals for the Reds last season and has stepped in this term when there have been injuries in their frontline.

The fitness issues of Liverpool’s other attackers was the only doubt for former defender Jamie Carragher, who also contributes to The Overlap podcast alongside Neville.

“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,” he said.

“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 OK 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.

“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.”