Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol thinks the 2024/25 campaign will be make or break for Darwin Nunez at Anfield
Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol feels the upcoming season will be extremely pivotal in Darwin Nunez and his Anfield career.
Darwin Nunez has struggled to live up to lofty expectations at Liverpool following his blockbuster club-record £85 million move from Benfica in the summer of 2022. The Uruguayan striker amassed a respectable tally of 15 goals from 42 appearances across all competitions in his first season at Anfield.
His debut season in English football included plenty of positive moments, such as scoring on his Premier League debut and netting in four successive Champions League fixtures, as well as bagging an eye-catching double in the 7-0 smashing of our bitter rivals Manchester United in front of the Kop.
In terms of productivity, this past season was much better with Nunez racking up 18 goals and 13 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions. Regardless of a much improved second year in England, the 25-year-old has still faced a lot of scrutiny from fans and pundits alike for his performances, especially for the amount of gilt-edged chances he misses.
With Arne Slot replacing Jurgen Klopp at the helm, Steve Nicol believes it will be boom or bust for the Uruguay international at Anfield in the 2024/25 campaign. Nicol expressed himself on the topic of Nunez during an ESPN FC panel discussion which also included Reds great Ian Rush and former Arsenal defender Stewart Robson.
“I think you are right, I think this year is going to define whether he (Nunez) kicks on and becomes an Anfield legend, or whether he doesn’t and it is time to move somewhere else. I would think that’s how important this season is for him,”
Although Nunez was signed by the legendary Jurgen Klopp, there is every chance that our new gaffer Arne Slot could unlock his true potential. Slot is the first manager through the door at Anfield after Klopp left the club following nine years in the Premier League, and someone like the Uruguayan can most benefit from a fresh start.
There have been no qualms over the 25-year-old’s pace, work ethic, movement and positioning in the two years at Liverpool. It is his profligacy in front of goal and poor decision-making that leaves everyone associated with the football club frustrated. Nunez’s effort cannot be questioned, but if he’s to remain a Liverpool player and help us achieve roaring success under the new management in the coming years, he must improve.
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As Nicol suggests, the upcoming campaign could be make or break for Nunez. The Artigas-born talent has all the raw attributes in his locker but he needs to bring them together quickly to silence his detractors. We are certain Slot and his coaching staff will do their best to improve his technique and help him bring some much-needed calmness in front of goal.
Needless to say, it has been a very difficult month for Nunez and his family, and the less we speak about his off-field actions during the Copa America in the United States the better. We are yet to learn about the potential sanctions for his involvement in the off-field incident after the Uruguay vs Colombia semi-finals in the Copa America, but let’s hope the striker returns to our club mentally and physically stronger.
