Rio Ferdinand says ‘we have to be careful’ with how people are speaking about Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez given the big chances he is missing during the early stages of his career on Merseyside.
The Manchester United legend added that Jurgen Klopp’s summer signing has ‘got something’ about him, as he compared the Uruguay international to Diego Forlan.
After securing a big-money transfer to Nunez, but also arriving as Sadio Mane was heading for the exit door, there was always going to be that extra pressure on the player’s shoulders compared to other attackers that have joined under the Klopp era.
Whilst the 23-year-old has been chaotic, all-action and a nightmare for the opposition in the final third, that killer instinct is lacking, so far.
Nunez has missed 12 big chances this season, no other player has missed more.
Rival fans can’t help but bring up those moments when talking about Nunez, but Rio Ferdinand was quick to defend the player, as he told Vibe with Five.
“We have to be careful when we talk about people like this,” said Ferdinand. “Do you remember, Diego Forlan? He couldn’t hit a barn door at Old Trafford.
“He scored against the Scousers. But he couldn’t hit a barn door. He goes away and I think he wins the European Golden Boot. I think once or maybe twice. He becomes a great player. A great player for Uruguay and the various clubs he represented.
“I think Nunez has got something. What I like about him is that he is getting the chances. I would be more concerned if he wasn’t getting the chances. He’s a young player. He is growing into the game. It’s a new league. I think there is more to come from him.”
NUNEZ WILL COME GOOD
This is a long-term investment by Liverpool and it’s the reason why so much money was put in for the player.
The media and fans today have a tendency to judge a player within six months, expect him to rule the world and be the finished article.
Klopp and his coaching staff – as proven by past Liverpool attackers under them – should be trusted to take Nunez’s game to the next level in 2023.
