It is difficult to get wise to Darwin Nunez in the Liverpool shirt. The Uruguayan has shown his world class on several occasions this season, but he is perhaps best known for struggling in the closing moments.
West Ham striker Michail Antonio and Newcastle striker Callum Wilson have found out. The Premier League duo recently addressed their criticism of Nunez on the BBC’s Footballer’s Football podcast.
– When we played against them at Anfield, he had an absolutely insane shot. Left foot, right foot, he hit the target either way. Our keeper had to pull off some fantastic saves, Antonio says.
The West Ham striker talks about Liverpool’s 1-0 victory at Anfield this autumn. Darwin Nunez was the match winner in that fight with a powerful headbutt.
– But then I go on Instagram after the match and he is ridiculed. I mean to remember that he has 14 goals this season, continues the 32-year-old.
He is supported by his colleague Callum Wilson, who is currently flying high with his Newcastle team.
– He has more goals than me and Michail combined! That’s all I have to say about him, he laughs and continues:
– What I would like to add is that he is young, 23 years old, and he has just arrived in the Premier League. This is a league for men, not boys, and after all, it’s very different to where he’s been in the past.
Need time
During his debut season, Nunez has contributed five goals and two assists in 15 Premier League games. The striker’s biggest problem is that the numbers could have been much higher.
– He has to adapt, and that will take time. He gets ridiculed on social media for everything, and he’s going to take it. Things like that make you more self-critical, especially at that age, says Wilson.
The two Premier League strikers probably know what they are talking about. The duo have played in England’s top division for a number of years, and have probably themselves felt the pressure that is always present.
– He seems like a fit guy, a kind of no-nonsense type. He just has to take out the chest and drive on. What if you miss a few chances, says Wilson
The Newcastle striker still has faith that more goals will come eventually.
– As long as you are in a position where you get chances, you will not continue to miss. The clinical conclusion comes over time. He just needs to be played more regularly in the league, he concludes.
Darwin Nunez is probably extremely keen to show off in front of his own supporters in a Merseyside derby. He will get that opportunity tomorrow when Liverpool are visited by city rivals Everton at Anfield. The match kicks off at 21.00 and will be broadcast live on V Sport PL.
