A former Liverpool forward, Darwin Nunez, has reportedly been excluded from his current club Al Hilal's squad. This development, occurring after the arrival of new players, has led to considerable speculation regarding his future with the Saudi Pro League side and has fueled rumors of a potential return to the Premier League.
Background of Nunez's Move to Al Hilal
Darwin Nunez joined Al Hilal from Liverpool in August 2025 for approximately £46.3 million on a three-year contract. His departure from Liverpool followed three seasons with the club, during which he scored seven goals in 47 appearances last season. While at Liverpool, Nunez was noted for his visible effort and emotional investment on the field.

His transfer to Saudi Arabia was confirmed by Liverpool FC on August 9, 2025, pending international clearance.
Reports indicate Nunez had a strong start at Al Hilal, scoring in his first three competitive matches and adding an assist. He also made an impact in the AFC Champions League debut for his new club.
Squad Exclusion and Transfer Rumors
Recent reports suggest Darwin Nunez has been excluded from Al Hilal's squad. This situation has arisen following the club's acquisition of new players, including Karim Benzema. The timing of this exclusion has intensified discussions about Nunez's standing with the team.
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One report from Sky Sports mentions Nunez being "axed from Al Hilal's squad following the arrival of Karim Benzema."
This exclusion has led to speculation about his immediate future and has been framed as him being "left in no man's land."
Nunez's Performance and Liverpool Tenure
Nunez's time at Liverpool was marked by both periods of strong performance and criticism. He was part of the squad that won the Community Shield and Carabao Cup.

Despite facing criticism, his contributions at Liverpool showed a "steady incline" over his first two seasons under Jurgen Klopp.
His move to Al Hilal was seen as a fresh start after failing to consistently meet expectations in England.
Media Framing of the Situation
The reporting surrounding Darwin Nunez has highlighted a stark contrast between his initial positive start at Al Hilal and his current reported squad exclusion.
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Headlines like "Darwin Nunez left in no man's land as ex-Liverpool striker is AXED by new club" from the Mirror emphasize the abrupt nature of his current situation.
Liverpool.com noted a "worrying development" and also pointed to his strong start with Al Hilal, suggesting a complex narrative around his form and future.
Conflicting Signals on Nunez's Form
There appears to be a divergence in reporting regarding Nunez's recent performance and standing. While initial reports after his transfer indicated a successful integration and strong goal-scoring form, the latest news suggests a significant downturn.

Positive Start: Articles from Liverpool.com and the Liverpool Echo highlight Nunez's immediate impact at Al Hilal, scoring multiple goals and contributing assists in his early appearances. This suggests a successful transition and fulfillment of initial expectations.
Current Exclusion: More recent reports, such as the one from Sky Sports, describe him as being "axed" from the squad. This implies a sharp decline in favor or a contractual issue that has led to his removal, despite earlier successes.
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The question remains: What factors led to this reported exclusion after an apparently promising start to his Al Hilal career?
Expert and Media Commentary
While direct expert analysis of Nunez's current situation is limited in the provided text, the media coverage itself frames the events as a significant setback. The term "axed" implies a decisive action by the club, moving beyond mere performance dips. The implication of being "left in no man's land" suggests uncertainty and a lack of clear direction for his career at this juncture.

Findings and Implications
The available information indicates that Darwin Nunez, after a reported strong start with Al Hilal, is now facing exclusion from the club's squad. This situation has fueled speculation about his future, including the possibility of a return to English football. The contrast between his initial success and current reported sidelining presents a notable shift in his career trajectory since leaving Liverpool.
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Further clarification will be required to understand the specific reasons behind his squad exclusion and the definitive next steps in his playing career.
Sources:
Sky Sports: Darwin Nunez: Former Liverpool striker heading back to the Premier League after being axed by Al Hilal? - Paper Talk (Published 20 hours ago)
Link: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/13506930/darwin-nunez-former-liverpool-striker-heading-back-to-the-premier-league-after-being-axed-by-al-hilal-paper-talk
Liverpool.com: Nunez since leaving Liverpool - worrying reports, major milestone, Salah blast (Published Sep 17, 2025)
Link: https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/darwin-nunez-liverpool-al-hilal-32491282
BBC Sport: Darwin Nunez transfer: Liverpool striker joins Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal (Published Aug 9, 2025)
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4gje4j37r9o
Liverpool Echo: Darwin Nunez makes fresh statement after hitting new milestone following Liverpool transfer (Published Sep 17, 2025)
Link: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/darwin-nunez-makes-fresh-statement-32491316
Express Sport: Liverpool release Darwin Nunez statement as transfer exit confirmed (Published Aug 9, 2025)
Link: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2093369/Liverpool-Darwin-Nunez-transfer-news
Mirror: Darwin Nunez left in no man's land as ex-Liverpool star is axed by new club (Published 20 hours ago)
Link: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-darwin-nunez-al-hilal-36720631