Pundit and former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has praised Darwin Nunez and believes he will definitely be a ‘hit’ in Liverpool colours.
The Uruguayan came under immense scrutiny on social media after his first two outings wielded no end-product, but he responded in style by bagging four goals in 45 minutes against RB Leipzig.
Costing a hefty initial £68m, it is natural for all eyes to be on Nunez’s performances given his price tag.
He scored 26 league goals in 28 matches last season for Benfica in the Premeira Liga, and 34 in all competitions including six in the UEFA Champions League.
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He impressed particularly in the two matches against Liverpool, and he scored the winner as Benfica knocked out Erik ten Hag’s Ajax side.
“I’m sure Nunez will be a hit for Liverpool. I have no doubt about it whatsoever. There is nothing to worry about,” the former goalkeeper told Football Insider.
“Four goals against Leipzig isn’t bad, is it? What a brilliant performance from him.”
The injury to Portuguese forward Diogo Jota may force Jurgen Klopp’s hand to use Nunez on a regular basis from the beginning of the season, as he usually likes to give players a grace period to get used to the clubs’ system.
Fabinho, Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and others have all been bedded in over a long period of time, but it could be a chance for the forward to seriously hit the ground running in Liverpool Red.
After the ex-Penarol forward scored four, Jurgen Klopp praised him heavily after criticism from bystanders.
“We always think that if you pay a lot of money then the players feel no pressure or whatever."
They are all completely normal human beings and the first touch is not perfect then all of a sudden…"
“This generation of players read social media, which is really not smart, but they do. All of a sudden you get in a rush and these kinds of things."
"That’s the best way obviously to stop all these discussions. He’s a different striker to what we have or what we had, but he’s a really good one.”
Nunez will look to make his competitive debut for the Reds against Manchester City on Saturday in the Community Shield.
Topics: Darwin Nunez, Liverpool
Chris Stonadge