Liverpool now finds itself potentially paying the price for a major transfer decision made three years ago. In the summer of 2022, then-manager Jurgen Klopp, who held full control over recruitment strategy, opted to sign Darwin Núñez instead of Alexander Isak—a move that could now prove costly for the Reds.
As the 2025 summer transfer window heats up, Alexander Isak has become one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe. The Swedish international has been in phenomenal form for Newcastle United, helping them return to the UEFA Champions League and attracting serious interest from elite clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool.
However, prying Isak away from St. James’ Park won’t be easy. Newcastle, backed by the wealthy PIF ownership, is in no rush to sell their star striker. Reports suggest the club is working on a contract extension for Isak and will only entertain astronomical bids—valued at around £150 million.
Klopp Once Had the Chance to Sign Isak for Half the Price
What makes the situation particularly intriguing is that Liverpool had a golden opportunity to sign Isak back in 2022, when he was still playing for Real Sociedad. At that time, his market value was just £63 million—a bargain compared to today’s inflated price tag.
Instead, Liverpool chose to invest £85 million (including add-ons) in Darwin Núñez, who was then lighting up the Portuguese league with Benfica. The deal set a new transfer record for the Merseyside club.
Now, three years later, the contrasting trajectories of Núñez and Isak are reigniting debate over whether the club made the right call.
Inside the Decision: Data vs. Manager’s Preference
Former Liverpool Director of Research, Dr. Ian Graham, recently shed light on how that transfer decision unfolded. In an interview with the Financial Times, Graham revealed that Liverpool’s transfer policy had begun to shift in 2022—from a data-driven model to one more aligned with Klopp’s personal preferences.
“Jurgen created a lоt of success fоr thе сlub, ѕо іt’ѕ undеrѕtаndаblе that thе оrgаnіzаtіоn ѕtаrtеd mоvіng іn that direction,” ѕаіd Grаhаm, rеfеrrіng tо Klорр’ѕ growing іnfluеnсе іn thе сlub’ѕ trаnѕfеr decisions.
Graham explained that while the club’s data team previously convinced Klopp to prioritize Mohamed Salah over Julian Brandt in 2017, the decision to sign Núñez over Isak was based on the manager’s own intuition.
“In 2022, Jurgen signed Darwin Núñez instead of Alexander Isak,” Graham recalled. “Both were top-tier young strikers in Europe, just below Haaland, who was already destined for Manchester City and out of our financial reach.”
Both Strikers Were Considered Elite Talents
Graham made it clear that both Isak and Núñez were highly-rated by Liverpool’s analytics team.
“Looking at Europe’s top young forwards at that time, Isak and Núñez were either one and two—or two and three—behind Haaland,” he said. “Jurgen went with Núñez. And honestly, it would be unfair of me to criticize that choice. Núñez was—and still is—one of the most talented young strikers in Europe.”
Despite the difference in paths taken, Graham doesn’t regret the decision. He emphasized that Klopp’s instincts had previously led to success and that Núñez, even if inconsistent, remains a top-level striker.
The Present-Day Irony: One is Rising, the Other is Linked with an Exit
Fast forward to today, and the situation couldn’t be more ironic. Liverpool is reportedly open to selling Darwin Núñez this summer. The club is seeking a fee in the region of £60 million, though Napoli—one of the interested parties—is said to be negotiating for a lower price.
Meanwhile, Isak—whose signature once cost less than Núñez—has blossomed into a complete striker in the Premier League and now commands more than double his previous valuation. If Liverpool wishes to rectify their past oversight, it could come at a steep financial cost.
What This Means for Liverpool’s Future
With new manager Arne Slot now at the helm, Liverpool is in the process of reshaping its squad. Whеthеr thеу сhооѕе to rе-еntеr the rасе fоr Iѕаk оr ѕtісk to іntеrnаl dеvеlорmеnt wіll ѕреаk volumes аbоut thе сlub’ѕ dіrесtіоn post-Klopp.
But one thing is certain: decisions made in the past continue to shape Liverpool’s transfer reality today—and potentially cost them millions in the process.
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