Jose Enrique has told Benfica striker Darwin Nunez to turn down Manchester United and sign for Liverpool this summer.
Nunez, 22, emerged as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards last term, scoring 34 goals in 41 appearances.
The Uruguayan has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag looking for a new centre-forward to take the pressure off Cristiano Ronaldo next season.
However, Enrique, the former Liverpool full-back, believes Nunez should head to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp can coach him into a world class player in the same way he did with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
The Spaniard wrote on his Instagram story: ‘I hope this is not true and he comes to us instead. We (Liverpool) should go for him, a top player who can become world class under (Jurgen) Klopp if we sell Sadio Mane.’
With Mane having just a year left on his contract, reports suggest the forward could leave Liverpool to join Bayern Munch this summer.
Mane’s departure would open the door for Klopp to sign a new attacker, especially with Divock Origi also departing for AC Milan.
The German has already brought in Luiz Diaz in January to freshen up his striking options and Nunez would represent another astute signing for the future.
Earlier this year, Liverpool faced Benfica in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and Klopp was impressed with what he saw from Nunez
He said: ‘Extremely good-looking boy. Really good, really good. He played pretty much in front of me, with his tough battles with Ibou Konate.
‘Physically strong, quick, was calm with his finish. If he stays healthy, it’s a big career ahead of him.’
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