Why Darwin Nunez Hasn’t Started for Liverpool Since Early March?

Darwin Nunez has not started a match for Liverpool since their 3-1 win over Southampton on March 8.

Since early March, Liverpool fans have been left puzzled by Darwin Nunez’s absence from the Reds’ starting lineups. Despite being fit, the Uruguay international has found himself restricted to appearances off the bench. His drop in minutes hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially as Arne Slot’s men chase the Premier League title.

After Arsenal were held 2-2 at home by Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Liverpool now need only one point to win the Premier League. The Reds will be crowned champions if they avoid defeat against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.

Why Darwin Nunez Hasn’t Started for Liverpool?

Darwin Nunez has not started a match for Liverpool since their 3-1 win over Southampton on March 8. According to reports from Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Liverpool have been strategically managing Nunez’s appearances to avoid triggering a £4.27 million (€5 million) payment to his former club Benfica.

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When Nunez joined Liverpool in 2022 for an initial €75 million (£64 million), the deal included performance-based add-ons that could push the total fee to €100 million (£83.3 million). Benfica have reportedly already received €10 million (£8.5 million) in bonus payments – including €5 million for Nunez’s first 10 Premier League starts and another for reaching 35 combined starts in the Premier League and Champions League.

Crucially, one more start would take Nunez to 60 total appearances across those two competitions, a milestone that would activate another €5 million payment. As it stands, Nunez is on 59 starts in the Premier League and Champions League combined. With just one more start triggering the clause, it looks like Liverpool might be opting to delay the payout, especially given that Nunez is expected to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

🚨 Liverpool will have to pay Benfica an extra £4.3m if Darwin Núñez starts another Premier League match this season.

(Source: @MirrorFootball) pic.twitter.com/dhed9JEAeN
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 23, 2025

Slot Responds to Benfica Bonus Rumours

When asked about the rumored contract clause in his pre-Tottenham press conference, Arne Slot downplayed the speculation. The Liverpool manager claimed he had no knowledge of such a clause. However, he admitted that “it might be true.”

“Do you always believe what the journalists say? Not always? Me neither. Sometimes it’s true, but sometimes it’s better not to believe everything that is written about players. It’s completely new to me.

“I’ve said many times that I am working at a club where it is really nice to work at. For me, it’s very important to have a great working environment and I have that with Richard [Hughes, the Liverpool sporting director].

“So the last, last, last thing that he will do is tell me if you play him, it will cost us this much. That he will never, never do. I don’t know if it’s true or not, because we never talk about that. He never interferes with the line-up.

“It might be true, but if a journalist says it, you have to balance.”

Arne Slot reacts to €5 million Darwin Nunez rumour…

🗣️ "Do you always believe what journalists say?" pic.twitter.com/ePD73BkflM
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) April 25, 2025

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Darwin Nunez has found it difficult to showcase his best form since arriving at Anfield and it appears that Liverpool are growing frustrated with his performances. Despite flashes of brilliance, Nunez has endured a torrid spell at Liverpool, often criticized by fans for his poor finishing.

Darwin Nunez

Liverpool

Abhinav Goel

soccer

I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.