Chelsea wanted Darwin Nunez! Liverpool rejected shock Blues approach for Uruguayan forward last summer

Nunez's journey at Anfield began in 2022 when Liverpool secured his services from Benfica for £64 million ($79m) with another £21m ($26m) in add-ons. Despite a promising spell with Benfica, Nunez initially struggled to justify his hefty price tag at Liverpool, facing criticism for inconsistent performances and missed opportunities.

According to The Times, Chelsea wanted to bail out the misfiring striker which prompted sporting director, Paul Winstanley, to initiate discussions with Liverpool regarding Nunez's availability. However, the Merseyside club swiftly rebuffed Chelsea's inquiry, dispelling speculations about Nunez's departure and reaffirming their commitment to the player.

However, the tide turned for Nunez this season as he has demonstrated a resurgence in form, already matching his goal tally from the previous campaign in the Premier League alone and showcasing improved performance metrics. In fact, he heads into the Carabao Cup final on Sunday in blistering form boasting of having three goals and one assist in his last five matches.

Despite missing out on Nunez, Chelsea bolstered their squad with two forwards in Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal and Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig. However, the pair have failed to live up to expectations and have just 11 goals between them.

If Nunez successfully overcomes a muscle problem to face Chelsea in the upcoming Carabao Cup final, he will be eager to add to his ever-increasing goal tally. His resurgence serves as a testament to Klopp's faith in his abilities, as the German manager has refused to throw him under the bus even when he has struggled in front of goal.