Nunez scored in both matches for the Portuguese side as they went down 6-4 on aggregate.

The 22-year-old star completed the campaign with 34 goals for Benfica and Klopp was so impressed that he wants to make him the new poster boy of his attack.

6Nunez scored in both Champions League quarter-final legs against Liverpool during the 2021-22 seasonCredit: Getty6Former Almeria ace Nunez banged in 34 goals in all competitions for Benfica last seasonCredit: Getty

“My parents sacrificed for me, my mother collected bottles in the street and my father worked all day in construction. I owe my family so much.”

Yet even during his time at Penarol there was pain and suffering.

He spent a total of over two years out after first sustaining a cruciate knee ligament injury then damage to his kneecap.

Nunez came back too early following the first problem and picked up the second on his return in a derby clash with River Plate – cue more tears on the stretcher as he was carried off.

He returned to play in 2018 but as he sought to regain form he was targeted on social media.

The youngster found the criticism so unbearable that he needed the help of a psychologist to help him deal with it.

But at Almeria as a front man and playing wide left he quickly built a reputation as a goal scorer in season 2019-20 scoring 16 goals.

By the end of it he was Benfica’s record buy at £20m and he admits there were more happy tears as he wore the jersey of Portugal’s most famous club for the first time.

6Nunez still has three years left on his contract at the Estadio da LuzCredit: Getty

He finished his first season at the Stadium of Light with yet another knee injury yet he had become hardened by his experiences.

At Penarol after his cruciate injury, he considered quitting, saying: “I went through an ugly injury that took me a year and five months.

“At times I wanted to stop playing, but my family and my teammates were always there and encouraged me to continue.

“I set out to do that and today I am stronger than ever.”

It was the strength of Nunez – more than those good looks – that really impressed Klopp.

In April he said: “Really good, really good. I knew before, of course, but he played pretty much in front of me with his tough battles with Ibrahima Konate.

“He was physically strong, quick, was calm around his finish. Good, really good. I always say in these situations if he is healthy, it’s a big career ahead of him.”

6Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Nunez in AprilCredit: Getty

Nunez, clearly, is healthy and has become for Liverpool and the rivals from Old Trafford and the Toon, the must – have player as the transfer market opens.