Liverpool FC Forum

Speaking to the Financial Times, Liverpool's former director of research Ian Graham has suggested Jurgen Klopp's growing power over transfer activity at the club was key to the Reds choosing to move for Nunez over Isak.

Graham worked at the club between 2012 and 2023 to help use data analysis to aid their transfer policy, and now serves as chief executive of Ludonautics, a sports advisory firm.

He explained how Klopp had previously been persuaded by the recruitment team to sign Mo Salah over Julian Brandt in 2017, a decision which proved a masterstroke.

Following success in the Premier League and Champions League, the balance of power had altered with Klopp apparently pushing for the signing of Nunez in 2022.

'Jurgen created a lot of success for the club, so it’s understandable why it moved in that direction,' Graham said.

'In 2022, he signed Darwin Nunez instead of Alexander Isak. Both players, if you look at top young centre-forwards in Europe, they would be number one and two — or two and three but [Erling] Haaland was going to [Manchester] City and out of our price range.

'Jurgen preferred Nunez. It would be very churlish of me to say, “It’s terrible that Jurgen had his choice”, when in the past Jürgen had been persuaded by me and my colleagues of a different choice.

Bad mistake I guess, imagine we had Isak, we would've done some damage that season.

I also recall how Klopp was after Gotze but thankfully we got Mane instead. Don't think Gotze wanted to come here anyway. Mane was levels above him during peak period.

redshade » Tue Jul 01, 2025 2:27 pm wrote:Bad mistake I guess, imagine we had Isak, we would've done some damage that season.

I also recall how Klopp was after Gotze but thankfully we got Mane instead. Don't think Gotze wanted to come here anyway. Mane was levels above him during peak period.

I wonder if this was the catalyst for Edwards and co leaving and then subsequently Klopp because it seem to all come out of the blue.

redshade » Tue Jul 01, 2025 2:27 pm wrote:Bad mistake I guess, imagine we had Isak, we would've done some damage that season.

I also recall how Klopp was after Gotze but thankfully we got Mane instead. Don't think Gotze wanted to come here anyway. Mane was levels above him during peak period.

I wonder if this was the catalyst for the internal upheaval that happened and ultimately Klopp and his whole staff leaving because it seem to all come out of the blue.

Klopp was agreat motivator, the best I woud say. Also great tactical prowess. BUT he was AWFUL at transfers and contracts. He didn't care if players ran down their contracts and played players even of they had 1 month left. And while he could make a mid table player into a top table player he was not great at spotting talent. Brandt instead of Salah and Nunez instead of Isak tells you everything you need to know....

Looking like he's on his way to Saudi retirement league... 53 million euro's with add on's taking it up to 65 million!!! wow

Surely we wouldn't let him go unless we had Isak tied up?

Best of luck to him, he had potential to be a beast of a player but unfortunately never reached that level. I'm also glad we're not selling him to any relevant team or league so we'll never know if he really can reach those heights and be angry that he didn't do it with us.

This sale should also mean that Isak is coming to us but Newcastle's top target Sesko will probably go to Man U so I'm not 100% sure they'll let Isak go.

damjan193 » Wed Aug 06, 2025 3:35 pm wrote:Best of luck to him, he had potential to be a beast of a player but unfortunately never reached that level. I'm also glad we're not selling him to any relevant team or league so we'll never know if he really can reach those heights and be angry that he didn't do it with us.

This sale should also mean that Isak is coming to us but Newcastle's top target Sesko will probably go to Man U so I'm not 100% sure they'll let Isak go.

Also happy he is not going to a European club, I have a feeling that he’ll torment us one day.

I thought he was going to be a hit here, on par with Haalands standard. He didn't have a problem with having a pop at goal, it was his decision making, accuracy the issue. If he moves then all the best and likewise glad it's not to a EPL club.

Things didn’t quite work out for him here, but he worked hard and helped us win the title .

He leaves us as a champion, which is something significant.

Wish him all the best.

Best of luck to him. I like him as a player but his finishing just isnt up to it. He will run amok over there i reckon and be back in Europe in a year or two.

I liked his spirit and energy and really wanted him to succeed. He was however brain dead and kept getting caught offside and ruining goal scoring opportunities or having goals VARed and that to me was why we had to sell him. He didn’t learn and must have really frustrated the players and coaches. Fact we are selling at less than we bought him and he’s still 26 says a lot, this was not an emotional decision but a statistical one as I’m sure people liked him.

I think Klopp rates players with his heart and why he bought him. He had a good game against us and Klopp was sold on him,I remember in the interview Klopp saying how good looking he was 

Had a few big moments for us but ultimately he didn’t work out.

For those fondly remembering his effort and heart, let’s not forget the post-January period where he downed tools and stopped putting a shift in when he was on the field. Because he didn’t get his Saudi move then. Which Slot called him out for. And previously having a tantrum and removing all LFC reference from his social media.

Like one of those mates who’s great when things are all going well and disappears when they go to s**t.  Decent player, not good enough for us, questionable character.

Thanks and good luck.