Liverpool doing 'everything' to sign 34-goal striker; now his club has identified a replacement

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Benfica’s Darwin Nunez in recent months.

Indeed, Correio da Manha has recently claimed the Reds will ‘do everything’ to land the 22-year-old goal machine.

Liverpool could potentially have to look for a replacement for Sadio Mane.

Sky Sports claim Bayern Munich are plotting a move for the Reds forward, whose contract expires next summer.

And Nunez, one of the best young strikers in the world, would certainly fit the bill for Jurgen Klopp.

Correio da Manha, via Sport Witness, claims there should be ‘decisive developments’ happening this week.

Klopp reportedly believes Darwin has the ‘ideal characteristics’ to be part of the squad.

But even though the Eagles want to sort this sale ‘quickly’, they also want at least €100m to let the Uruguayan go.

In addition, Benfica are seemingly preparing for life after Nunez.

According to 90Min, the Portuguese giants have set their sights on Watford’s Joao Pedro.

The 20-year-old agreed to join Watford back in October 2018.

He eventually made the move from Fluminense 15 months later after receiving a work permit.

Pedro has played 73 times for the club in all competitions since then, scoring 13 goals.

He has a contract until 2025, but with Watford now in the Championship, he could well be looking for a big move.

“Direct, quick, tall, strong”

The Benfica ace registered a staggering 34 goals and four assists from just 41 senior appearances for his club.

Nunez also got six goals in 10 Champions League outings, testament to his quality and suitability for the highest level.

He was a major thorn in Liverpool’s side, scoring twice against Klopp’s outfit in the quarter-finals.

Anfield star Virgil van Dijk recently admitted that Nunez is one of the toughest opponents he’s ever faced.

Rio Ferdinand asked him on FIVE to name the toughest player he’s been up against.

Van Dijk named several players, including Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi, before commenting on Nunez.

“Darwin… very direct, quick, tall, strong, it’s quite difficult to play against those guys.”