Darwin Nunez’s contract fine print could mean that Benfica miss out on a significant payment from Liverpool if the Uruguayan international doesn’t start again.
The Portuguese side’s former striker arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2023, but has failed to cement himself as a first-team regular.
Initially, Nunez was acquired for a fee of £64 million, with the potential for the total cost to rise to £85 million due to performance-related bonuses.
The specifics of the transfer agreement have been a topic of speculation, as neither Benfica nor Liverpool has disclosed the precise details of the additional fees.
According to a report from the Portuguese media outlet A Bola, Benfica stands to forfeit €5 million (£4.2 million) if Nunez fails to make another start for Liverpool.
They claim that the Portuguese club received €5m each time the forward reached a milestone number of starts in the Premier League and Champions League, beginning with €5m for 10 starts, then another €5m when Nunez reached 35.
It has been reported that a further €5m will be paid to Benfica if and when Nunez reaches 60.
The Uruguayan, who currently has 59 starts for the Reds, has struggled to hold down a place in Arne Slot’s squad this season.
He has appeared in the starting XI only once since February, when he scored at Anfield in a win over Southampton.
As the season draws to a close, the opportunities for Benfica to secure another bonus from their former striker are declining and Nunez’s future at Liverpool is in question.