Seven Liverpool strikers who flopped after big-money transfers ahead of £85m Darwin Nunez deal including Andy Carroll

LIVERPOOL are closing in on an £85million deal for Darwin Nunez but they have been stung more than once when signing strikers in the past.

The most high-profile example is the £35m move for Andy Carroll on transfer deadline day in January 2011.

Darwin Nunez is on the cusp of an £85million move to LiverpoolCredit: AFP

Liverpool lost Fernando Torres to Chelsea on the same day and replacement Carroll flopped as soon as he arrived at Anfield.

But there have been several players before and since who did not reach their potential on Merseyside, and Nunez will be hoping to avoid the same fate.

His transfer fee means there is pressure on the Uruguayan to perform and ensure he does not join a list of flops that includes Mario Balotelli and Fernando Morientes – both of whom were Champions League winners by the time they joined the Reds.

Here, SunSport takes a look at seven strikers who flopped at Liverpool following big-money moves.

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Andy Carroll

One of the most notorious transfers in Premier League history and for good reason, since he scored just 11 goals in 58 appearances after joining from Newcastle for £35m in 2011.

It took him almost three months to break his Liverpool duck as the fee weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Carroll lasted just 18 months at Liverpool before a loan switch to West Ham, which was made permanent for around £15m in 2013.

Andy Carroll joining Liverpool is regarded as one of the worst ever Premier League transfersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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Christian Benteke

Like Carroll, former Villa star Benteke arrived in 2015 following a good spell at another Premier League club but his physical style did not suit Liverpool.

Other than a superb overhead kick in a defeat to Manchester United the £32m signing failed to improve Brendan Rodger’s side.

The Belgian then became a bit-part player once Jurgen Klopp took over in late 2015, and though he scored nine league goals he was sold the following summer to Palace for £27m.

Christian Benteke did not fit Jurgen Klopp’s direction and was quickly booted out by the GermanCredit: Getty

Robbie Keane

On paper Keane looked an astute purchase for a Liverpool side looking to reduce its reliance on Torres to score goals.

The fee of £20m paid to Spurs in 2008 was considered a little steep but the Irishman had scored goals regularly wherever he had played previously – including on the international stage.

But he simply did not fit at Anfield and his confidence gradually eroded with each missed chance – leading Keane to return to Tottenham after only six months and seven goals.

Robbie Keane’s time at Anfield did not live up to expectations with just seven goals scoredCredit: PA:Press Association

Mario Balotelli

Balotelli arrived for £16m from AC Milan in 2014 but left on a free to Nice just two years and one Premier League goal later.

His attitude was a problem throughout his Liverpool stay with the Italian sparking controversy by swapping shirts with Real Madrid star Pepe at half-time during a Champions League match.

He was accused of disrespect by then Reds captain Steven Gerrard with the rest of his team-mates soon becoming frustrated by his performances.

Balotelli also attracted negative attention off the pitch after being banned from driving in December 2014 after speeding, and reportedly had a paintball fight with friends on the day he moved into a new house.

Signing Mario Balotelli proved to be a huge mistake with the £16m man scoring only once in the PremCredit: PA:Press Association

Fernando Morientes

Morientes arrived in 2005 with a big reputation after banging in goals for Real Madrid for several years.

He won the Champions League three times with Los Blancos but failed to replicate his form in England, scoring just 12 goals in 61 games.

The Spaniard did not have the pace to keep up with the speed of the Prem and was always likely to struggle.

Liverpool will be glad they only spent £7m to lure him from the Bernabeu and offloaded him to Valencia in 2006 for £3m.

Fernando Morientes failed to replicate his Real Madrid form in the Premier LeagueCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Iago Aspas

Another Brendan Rodgers flop who has since gone on to prove his quality in LaLiga with Celta Vigo.

But after arriving at Liverpool for £7m from Celta in 2013, he failed to hold down a regular starting place with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge producing one of the all-time best Prem strike partnerships.

Aspas failed to show any kind of form as a result and scored only once, leading to a loan move to Sevilla 12 months after signing before returning to Celta for around half of what Liverpool paid for him.

Iago Aspas struggled to break into the Liverpool team ahead of Luis Suarez and Daniel SturridgeCredit: Action Images – Reuters

Djibril Cisse

The Frenchman arrived for £14m from Auxerre in 2004 – in the same summer Michael Owen was sold to Real Madrid.

It was always going to be a difficult task for Cisse made worse after he broke his leg in two places just a few months after signing.

He did claim a Champions League medal and scored in the 2006 FA Cup final win over West Ham, but a return of 24 goals in 79 games means Cisse failed to live up to his price tag – a then Liverpool record.

He made a loan move to Marseille permanent in 2007 for around £6m.

Djibril Cisse did not live up to his £14.5m transfer feeCredit: AP:Associated Press

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk