Darwin Nunez was the only negative in the Reds’ win over Manchester City as per former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders
As per Dean Saunders (h/t The Express), in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Manchester City, the only negative aspect in the game for Jurgen Klopp’s men was the performance of summer signing Darwin Nunez.
The Uruguayan came on in the final 20 minutes of the game for Roberto Firmino. Soon after the substitution, the Reds managed to break the deadlock through a Mohamed Salah goal. However, Liverpool could have managed to put the game to bed much earlier than the 90.
The former Benfica striker, on multiple occasions, failed to hit the target or find teammates in better positions to finish the play. If Darwin could possibly find the goal, the matter would have been put to rest much earlier than the point it went on to.
Speaking to talkSPORT (h/t The Express) of his performance, former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders had this to say:
“My honest opinion watching the game yesterday, he got through, he came on and got through, he’s got to slip the ball across the pitch. He didn’t even see Salah, Salah’s just scored as well. He then goes through again, tries to dink the keeper and gets it all wrong. But plus side, it looks like he can run.”
“The jury’s out, I think so. The jury’s out. Whether he can fit into the class football that Liverpool play, whether he can fit into that. Hopefully he does.”
Darwin’s is evolving at Liverpool
It is understandable that Darwin would fancy himself to get a shot on goal and prove that he is settling in well at the club, but on the one occasion, Salah was so close to the goal and so free, it was as the defenders did not want to get near him. A goal would have probably been definite there.
On another occasion, he attempted to chip the goalie, but his shot went horrid and far off the post. His finishing would make it seem that he is not playing as he would want to, but the runs he made and the positioning of the 23-year-old was near-perfect.
Moreover, there have been questions raised on him by Saunders on whether Darwin could fit into the style of play Jurgen Klopp is used to at Liverpool. Well, that is something only time would tell as these games will count as small steps in adjusting to the German’s class of football.
He even crossed in a ball for Trent Alexander-Arnold near the far post, who failed to get the shot on target. Learning curves, we could call it. Hopefully, he works on his finishing in training and we could see the ‘beast within unleashed’ from the £85m signing.
More Liverpool News
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- Luis Figo talks about his potential transfer to Liverpool and how the club botched the chance to sign him
- Manchester City star Bernardo Silva slams referee Anthony Taylor for Phil Foden’s disallowed goal vs Liverpool
After a mixed bag of a performance against City, Darwin would back himself to start the game against West Ham United this Thursday to silence his critics and ensure that his life at Liverpool indeed gets going.
