Jamie Carragher has expressed disappointment with the performance of a particular striker.
Carragher doubts that Darwin Nunez, despite Liverpool investing £85m in him and him tallying 18 goals across all competitions this season, will ever find that clinical edge world-class strikers possess.
This skepticism follows Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford, where Nunez failed to convert any of his five shots at Andre Onana’s goal.
Although Nunez contributed with an assist for Luis Diaz’s opening goal through a deft flick from a corner, Carragher believes his inconsistency in front of goal is a trait unlikely to evolve.
“Listen, when you look at Liverpool and namely Nunez, he’s not going to change what he is. He is what he is. He’s going to miss chances, look dangerous at times,” Carragher said on The Gary Neville Podcast.
“But that really clinical edge of the very top players, I don’t think he’s got that and I don’t think he ever will. That’s Mo Salah’s role in the team,”
Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool in the summer of 2022 from Benfica in a transfer valued at £85m.
Despite a somewhat inconsistent debut season, the 24-year-old has significantly improved his performance in the 2023/24 season, tallying 18 goals and 13 assists across all competitions for the Reds. Jamie Carragher’s observation of his clinical ability holds weight.
After a match against Manchester United where he had five off-target shots, Nunez’s expected goals (xG) in the Premier League rose to 14.7, surpassing his actual goal count by 3.7.
In this aspect, only Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin have performed worse in the league this season.
Liverpool are counting on Nunez to refine his finishing in their remaining seven Premier League fixtures as they strive to maintain their challenge for the title.
Currently trailing Arsenal on goal difference after a 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Jurgen Klopp’s team needs Nunez to be more consistent in finding the back of the net to sustain their title aspirations.
In other Liverpool news, Pundits Drop Summer Exit Claim on Liverpool Star Who Will Cost More Than £100m