Darwin Nunez: Liverpool could change formation next season if they sign him

According to multiple reports, Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign Benfica’s Darwin Nunez.

Portuguese media claim the Reds will pay around £68million fee up-front and at least £17m in add-ons.

It’s a move that could break Liverpool’s transfer record.

Meanwhile, the FA Cup and League Cup winners continue to bat away Bayern Munich’s attempts to sign Sadio Mane as they hold out for a bigger offer.

But if all the reports are to be believed, both deals will be agreed imminently.

So, Mane out, Nunez in.

But there are many Liverpool fans who believe this is far more than just a straight swap.

Mane finished the campaign playing down the middle of the front three in the middle of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.

The same can be expected of Nunez, right?

Possibly. But there are many fans who believe the signing of Nunez will lead to a change of formation – especially when you consider the arrival of Fábio Carvalho from Fulham too.

We’re talking a switch to 4-2-3-1 – the formation that brought Klopp much success at Borussia Dortmund.

So, how would it look on paper?

Well, we’ve drafted up a likely XI using 4-2-3-1 with a back-up in each position.

That looks pretty tasty, doesn’t it?

The back five remain the same – although we’ve given Ibrahima Konate the nod over Joel Matip.

Note: we’ve also included Calvin Ramsey – the 18-year-old right-back who Liverpool are heavily linked with signing.

A double-pivot of Fabinho and Thiago is an exciting prospect with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita in reserve.

Salah on the right-wing and Diaz on the left-wing has a familiar look but we’ve got an attacking midfielder in the form of Roberto Firmino. Plenty of players are capable of playing in that role including Diogo Jota, Takumi