Uruguayan Darwin Nunez, pictured after scoring for Benfica against Liverpool on April 5, has signed for the Anfield club for an initial fee of 75 million euros ($79 million). (PHOTO / AP)
Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool had shown "decisiveness and ambition in equal measure" to land Darwin Nunez for a fee that could rise to a club-record 100 million euros ($105 million).
The Champions League finalist has splashed an initial 75 million euros on the 22-year-old, with an extra 25 million euros in performance-related add-ons, according to figures released by Benfica.
That could take Nunez's move beyond the 75 million pounds ($90 million) Liverpool paid for Virgil Van Dijk in January 2018 and make him the fifth most expensive transfer in Premier League history.
The Uruguayan scored 34 goals in 41 appearances last season, including twice against Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinals.
"This is super news, really super news," Klopp told the Liverpool website. "I'm very grateful to everyone at the club for making it happen. We've shown decisiveness and ambition in equal measure.
"Darwin is a wonderful player; already really good but so much potential to get even better.
"That's why it's so exciting, to be honest. His age, his desire, his hunger to be even better than he currently is. His belief in our project and what we are looking to do as a club."
Liverpool narrowly missed an unprecedented quadruple of trophies last season.
Klopp's team lifted the League Cup and FA Cup, but lost out on the Premier League title to Manchester City by one point and was beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Nunez said he wants to write himself into Reds history.
"I'm really happy and delighted to be here at Liverpool. It's a massive club," said Nunez.
"When I arrived at the training ground, I was really surprised to see the setup and the structure and all the trophies here.
"You can then imagine yourself winning more trophies and then later on when you come here again and see the trophies on display, you can say, 'Look, I was a part of that, I was there at that time, winning trophies'.
"That's one of the reasons why I came here to Liverpool-to win trophies and titles."
His arrival continues Klopp's overhaul of Liverpool's attacking options.
Luis Diaz made a huge impact in the second half of last season after a January move from Porto, while Diogo Jota has scored 34 goals in the past two seasons.
Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino, who have fired the club back to winning major honors under Klopp, are all out of contract in 2023.
Mane has expressed his intention to leave the Reds during the summer transfer window.
Liverpool has reportedly rejected two bids from Bayern Munich as it holds out for a fee above 40 million pounds for the Senegal forward.
Egypt star Salah has stated his intention to stay next season but talks over an extension have stalled.
City has already signaled its intent to maintain its dominance of the Premier League under Pep Guardiola by beating Europe's top clubs to the signature of prolific Norwegian striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
Liverpool will hope Nunez can match Haaland's impact as it aims to take the title off City next season.
"He plays without fear, he's powerful. I know he will excite our supporters," said Klopp.
"He has all the pieces we look for. He can set a tempo, he brings energy, he can threaten space from central and wide areas. He is aggressive and dynamic with his movement."