Liverpool's Darwin Nunez has unveiled a fresh haircut ahead of Uruguay's first game at the Copa America.
The Reds striker is expected to be in action as his country gets their campaign underway against Panama in Florida. The 24-year-old had a mixed bag of a season at Anfield in 2023/24, but still managed to net 18 goals and provide 13 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.
In Jurgen Klopp's final six Premier League matches at the helm, Nunez only made the starting line-up once, with his last goal of the season coming against Sheffield United in early April. This led to rumors of a potential exit, especially after Nunez removed all Liverpool-related posts from his Instagram account.
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However, it seems likely that Arne Slot will have Nunez in his squad for the 2024/25 season, as there's been little solid talk of a transfer elsewhere. Just weeks after Slot's appointment was announced, Nunez sent a clear message to the new head coach by scoring a hat-trick in Uruguay's 4-0 victory over Mexico.
Following this statement performance, Nunez has surprised Liverpool fans with his latest hairstyle. The forward was seen sporting cornrows with a tightly-knit ball at the base of his head.
The ex-Benfica player has sported a similar style in the past, while he surprised supporters earlier back in December when he ditched his usual ponytail for braided pigtails for Liverpool's clash against Fulham.
There is certainly plenty of pressure on Nunez's shoulders as he prepares to lead the line for his country this summer. Yet, he's rising to the challenge, smashing in eight goals and providing three assists in just seven games post-World Cup for his nation.
Former Red Luis Suarez has thrown his weight behind Nunez as Uruguay gears up for the Copa America. "Today he is one of the best center-forwards in the world," Suarez has said, as reported by ESPN from his AUF TV interview.
"I love how he plays and I love watching him. Since Darwin was in Penarol I had been talking to him, through someone else. There was a game in which he scored three goals that caught my attention.
"It was often said that he missed many chances, but he created plenty too. I faced similar criticism, but what counts is his resilience; he's never stopped striving to improve."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.