With a name like Darwin, there had to be a theory.

But instead of evolution, Liverpool’s new Uruguayan striker has brought chaos.

And it might not be such a bad thing.

With the title way over the hills and far away, this is already a season of transition so a bit of experimentation won’t go amiss.

But given the tight hold the owners keep on the purse strings, a Champions League place is still a minimum requirement.

Six points from the remaining two league games before the World Cup would lift the spirits and bring Liverpool back in touch with the top four.

And with the record signing finally hitting his stride, that looks eminently doable.

Even if the first is away to third-placed Tottenham on Sunday.

Truth is, no one knows what to expect from Liverpool this season – least of all from their big man up front.

At a potential £85m, Darwin Nunez was always going to be a gamble.

But that lofty figure is only reached if certain ambitious targets are met. The initial fee is a more manageable £64m.

Such a gap shows a certain prudence; at worst, it betrays more than a seed of doubt.

Jurgen Klopp was initially smitten by the power and sheer directness of the 23-year-old.

He had been pretty raw when Benfica picked him up from Almeria in the Spanish second division.

And still had some rough edges when he arrived at Anfield in the summer.

But he’d already proved a handful for Liverpool’s defence – Virgil van Dijk included – in the Champions League, scoring in both games.

Getting back to evolution, many thought his introduction would be more gradual.

That’s how Klopp has brought on several new signings, notably Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

And if anyone seemed likely to be wrapped in cotton wool and let out occasionally, it would be this new, uncut diamond.

Instead, he was thrown straight into the Community Shield game where he outshone Erling Haaland.

Then it was the Norwegian who was the butt of jokes for a glaring miss and a first touch that was less than surgical.

But in the three months since that narrow win over Manchester City, it has been Haaland who has set the EPL on fire and Nunez who has found the going tough.

Indeed, comparisons with the other-worldly Viking warrior may not have helped.

A couple of bad misses and a red card certainly fuelled thoughts that Liverpool may have overpaid for a dud whereas City had acquired a generational player for less money.

And comparisons with two of Liverpool’s previous Latino strikers didn’t help.

For their supreme class and reliability in front of goal, both Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez were afforded legend status in teams that were inferior to this one.

But after being goaded into losing his rag against Crystal Palace, Nunez took his medicine and knuckled down.

After some painful reflection he’s bounced back to seize the opportunities Klopp has since given him to bring his goal tally to seven – and begun to look the part.

“His numbers are actually scary,” said Jamie Carragher of a player who has found the net once every 106 minutes. Haaland scores every 57 minutes.

It’s a small sample size and far too early to make a definitive verdict, but some already have.

“He’s just an upgrade on Divock Origi,” declared ex-Ireland defender Tony Cascarino.

That seems harsh, although you can see the similarities. A tad clumsy but able to get a goal out of nothing.

Origi occupied a unique place in Merseyside affections: “Worthy of a statue but not a place in the team,” according to a Scouse acquaintance.

Nunez causes the same sort of chaos as the Belgian did and his willingness to shoot-on-sight makes him difficult to defend against.

In a season like this one, he’s a handy weapon to have. He makes his presence felt and has given Liverpool a new aerial threat.

That’s long overdue given the crossing accuracy of Alexander-Arnold, Robertson and Tsimikas.

He’s not Sadio Mane, he’s very different. But if Liverpool are adjusting to him, opponents are too.

And now that Klopp has turned into tinkerman in an effort to find the right formation, a wild card who bangs them in from anywhere is a valuable asset to have.

In the lengthy absences of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, Nunez’s contribution will be key to what sort of season Liverpool end up having.

Following his award of the Freedom of Liverpool, the German boss reaffirmed his commitment to staying until 2026 by which time he hopes to have built another great side.

And news that the club will go “all out” to sign long-time target Jude Bellingham next summer is further encouragement for Kopites.

However, knowing that Real Madrid and Man City are also chasing the England midfielder, signing him will be anything but a formality.

Indeed, qualification for the Champions League could be essential for both financial and playing reasons – Bellingham won’t join a side not in the big boys’ league.

And if they’re not in it, the Reds won’t be able to afford him anyway.

Meantime, all eyes will be on Darwin to see if he can find the origin of a recovery.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.