"Needs to play" - Paul Merson Calls For £140k-a-week Liverpool man to start against Fulham

Pundit Paul Merson has stated that he would start Liverpool’s new marquee signing Darwin Nunez against Fulham at Craven Cottage this Saturday.

Nunez arrived at Anfield from Benfica earlier this summer for a fee of up to £85 million and is expected to fill the void left by the departing Sadio Mane.

But the Uruguayan didn’t start for the Reds against Manchester City in the Community Shield last Sunday.

However, he did come off the bench and made a significant impact, scoring in injury time to secure a 3-1 victory over the Citizens for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Merson believes after netting in his cameo display at the King Power Stadium, the 23-year-old forward should be selected from the beginning in Liverpool's Premier League opener.

The former Arsenal player told Sportskeeda: “I would start Darwin Nuenz in this game."

"I only say that because this is not a game against one of the big six, and you know that Liverpool are going to dominate."

“Nunez needs to play in games where you know he’s going to score, and this is a great game for him to make his Premier League debut.”

Nunez netted 34 times in 41 appearances across all competitions last season for Benfica, so he has the goal-scoring pedigree to come straight into the Premier League and thrive.

However, there is an expectation that the starlet may need some additional time to settle into English football, meaning Roberto Firmino may get the nod in this one.

It’s been largely a summer of continuity on the red half of Merseyside, with Nunez essentially replacing Mane the only significant change in Klopp’s squad.  

The arrivals of youngsters Calvin Ramsay and Fabio Carvalho from Aberdeen and Fulham respectively look to be deals for the long-term, while fringe players such as Neco Williams, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi have all moved on.

The crux of last season’s team that almost won the quadruple is still in place, and Klopp is expected to launch another assault on City’s title.