There's a delicious irony brewing in Catalonia that'll have Jurgen Klopp raising an eyebrow from his sofa. The attacking partnership he desperately wanted to build at Liverpool might finally come together this summer, just not on Merseyside.

Anthony Gordon's £70m move to Barcelona earlier this month was already enough to sting, given Klopp's pursuit of the winger during his final season at Anfield. Newcastle wouldn't budge then, and now the Spanish champions have snapped up exactly the player Liverpool once coveted.

But here's where it gets interesting. Barcelona are reportedly eyeing Darwin Nunez as their next signing, creating the tantalising prospect of Klopp's dream duo finally linking up. The former Liverpool striker, who departed for Al-Hilal in a £46m deal last summer, could be heading to the Camp Nou as the Catalans hunt for attacking reinforcements.

The logic is there on paper. Gordon's pace and directness would complement Nunez's relentless movement and physical presence in the box. It's the kind of dynamic partnership Klopp would have relished crafting, blending raw speed with tireless energy in the final third.

With Robert Lewandowski expected to move on this summer, Barcelona need a new focal point for their attack. Having splashed the cash on Gordon, they're now looking at more budget-friendly options for the striker role, which is where Nunez enters the conversation.

The Uruguayan's stock has taken quite the battering since his Saudi adventure began. Karim Benzema's arrival at Al-Hilal quickly pushed Nunez down the pecking order, and he found himself frozen out of the squad entirely by February. For a player who cost Liverpool £85m, watching from the sidelines in Riyadh wasn't exactly the career trajectory anyone envisioned.

Still, even with limited chances, Nunez managed nine goals in 24 appearances for Al-Hilal. That's actually an improvement on his final Liverpool campaign, where seven goals in 47 matches told the story of a striker struggling to find his rhythm. His overall Anfield record of 40 goals wasn't terrible, but it never quite justified that hefty price tag.

Barcelona seem willing to gamble on Nunez rediscovering his best form, though expecting him to immediately fill Lewandowski's boots would be optimistic to say the least. The 26-year-old has talent, no question, but consistency has been his Achilles heel throughout his career.

The equation becomes even more complex when you factor in Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United forward spent last season on loan at Barcelona and remains keen on making the move permanent. Discussions between the clubs have rumbled on for months, but Barcelona have yet to trigger his £26m release clause.

Gordon's arrival might complicate Rashford's path to Catalunya, though talks apparently continue. Whether through a permanent deal or another loan arrangement, the possibility remains on the table as Barcelona weigh up their attacking options.

It's a fascinating web of connections that all trace back to Klopp's vision for Liverpool's attack. The German always had an eye for players who could press relentlessly and transition quickly from defence to attack. Gordon and Nunez both fit that profile, even if one delivered more consistently than the other.

For Liverpool fans, there's a bittersweet element to this potential reunion. Gordon was the one who got away, whilst Nunez was the one who never quite clicked. Seeing them potentially thrive together elsewhere would be the kind of football karma that stings just a little.

Barcelona's summer rebuild is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the new season, and Liverpool connections run right through the heart of it.