Liverpool Sent Blunt Darwin Nunez Advice as Audacious Transfer Move for Premier League Star Backed
Jermaine Pennant has recently shared his thoughts on Darwin Núñez and the Premier League player he believes would be a better fit for Liverpool in place of the striker.
For Darwin Núñez, it has been a challenging season, but his recent performance served as a timely reminder of his abilities. Although it wasn’t the goal he might have hoped for, his contribution proved to be crucial.
With Liverpool reduced to 10 men and on the brink of suffering only their second defeat of the campaign, Núñez made a significant impact after coming off the bench. He delivered the assist for Diogo Jota’s 86th-minute equaliser, salvaging a 2-2 draw at home against Fulham.
This marked the Uruguayan’s 20th assist in 116 appearances for Liverpool, during which he has also scored 36 goals. While averaging nearly one goal every three games is respectable, it’s fair to say that expectations have been higher for the club-record £85 million signing from Benfica.
Núñez has shown plenty of potential during his first two seasons at Anfield and remains a favourite among the fans. However, frustrations with his finishing have begun to surface this season. The striker is currently on a six-match goal drought, with only three goals in 20 appearances to his name.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot recently delivered a compelling defence of his underperforming striker, showcasing his unwavering support.
Darwin Núñez responded positively over the weekend and may have an opportunity to further prove himself in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton at St Mary’s on Wednesday, with Diogo Jota not fully fit to start.
However, Jermaine Pennant, the former Liverpool winger who was named their standout player in the 2007 Champions League final loss to AC Milan in Athens, believes it might be time for his former club to move on from Núñez.
Pennant said: “He cost so much money and is up there with one of Liverpool’s highest-paid players. He’s just not giving Liverpool what they paid for – yes, he works his socks off and the fans love him, bringing something different to the team, but ultimately you want goals.
“Especially for that price tag, you expect returns to justify that fee. I think after this season – which is his third – we’re not going to see any improvement in the fourth or fifth. This is it now, this is the final product of Darwin Nunez. No disrespect to him, but he’s not on the level as a player that Liverpool are as a team.
“Liverpool has had some great No.9s in the past, and Nunez falls short of them. I think it’d be wise to offload him somewhere in Europe and invest the money they get for him elsewhere.
“There was all that chat when he joined being compared to Erling Haaland when he went to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund, but he just hasn’t got up to speed in the Premier League like Haaland has.”
And if Pennant had his way, he would replace Nunez with a player who has scored three goals in five games against the Reds since his arrival at Newcastle United.
“I think Liverpool should be looking at signing Alexander Isak in January,” said Pennant. “He scores every time he plays against Liverpool since he’s joined! Not only that, but he’s also a proven goalscorer and is a real handful for defenders.
“His movement is great, he’s quick and can bring in other players as well. He has all the attributes of fantastic No.9.
“That goal against Liverpool recently was all his creation, it was him getting the ball out of his feet and striking it into the back of the net and it’s not the first time we’ve seen that.”
Although Núñez has found it difficult to score this season, Liverpool as a team have not struggled in front of goal, netting an impressive 52 times across 23 matches in all competitions so far.
However, injuries and suspensions are starting to take their toll, and Arne Slot’s side have begun to show defensive frailties in recent weeks. Jermaine Pennant suggests the solution lies in targeting a centre-back from another Premier League club.
“Liverpool do need some back-up options in defence because although Joe Gomez has been fantastic in that centre-back role when filling in, Liverpool will need more options in the middle if Gomez has to take over on the left or right,” he told Casino Apps.
“Sadly, Jarell Quansah doesn’t look to be the same player he was last season, he always looks nervous on the ball now and makes a few mistakes that he didn’t use to make.
“It’s too soon for him to be the backup in a team who is chasing a Premier League title and are in the driving seat for the Champions League.
“Liverpool need someone who can handle the Premier League and the names that comes to mind are Murillo at Nottingham Forest and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
“I think they’re both players that are composed and look comfortable on the ball against the big teams. There are some young defenders out there who they can get, but those two would be some nice additions.”
