Uruguayan international Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool to replace Senegalese international Sadio Mane. In his first season with the club, Nunez had difficulties in linking up with his team-mates and being decisive in front of goal, and he did not have a satisfactory season.
In his second year, last season, he learnt to play as a centre-forward and his performances evolved, with 18 goals and 13 assists in 54 games. However, one-on-one with the goalkeeper remained a problem and many games could have been won comfortably if the 25-year-old striker had scored.
With many supporters complaining, former England international Chris Sutton, who played for Celtic and Blackburn Rovers during his playing days, said he could not take his eyes off the way the player was playing, but also said he had to eliminate waste.
“Darwin Nunez is so watchable. You can’t take your eyes off him when he plays because he’s all-action and he’s got some great attributes. But he is wasteful, you can’t get away from that.”
“He does so many things so well, it’s just the finishing touch that is missing. There is a natural element to finishing. He does brilliant things but he will remain a frustration to Liverpool fans. I wouldn’t be in a rush to get him out of the door though.”
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The Uruguayan forward, who is expected to score more goals in the new Arne Slot regime, must first understand the style of play preferred by the Dutch coach.
The centre-forward’s movement will also change, as he will be playing a more possession-oriented style of football than in the Jurgen Klopp era.
Will the 25-year-old forward, who has high hopes of replacing Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian international whose contract is up next year, as Anfield’s next-generation ace, have a season of awakening…?