Liverpool's Darwin Nunez reacts
Liverpool winger Darwin Nunez ‘can’t handle’ the step up to a club of the Reds’ size, according to pundit Frank McAvennie.
The Lowdown: Tough start
After arriving at Liverpool in a club-record £85m deal in the summer, it is fair to say Nunez had a difficult start, being sent off for a head-butt on his home debut against Crystal Palace.
The winger has missed 16 big chances in the Premier League so far this season, the highest amount of any player in the top flight, with Rio Ferdinand claiming that his finishing and execution ‘isn’t quite clean yet’.
The Latest: McAvennie reacts
In an interview with Football Insider, former top flight goalscorer McAvennie has now suggested that the 23-year-old may not be cut out for success at Liverpool, saying: “I feel for him because he is a decent player but some clubs are just too big for certain players.
“I am not talking about the club being huge, there is a whole atmosphere around the club, it is for winners. Everything about the club is for winners and some people can’t handle that.
“Liverpool fans demand every game that you give 100 percent. I feel sorry for him because he is missing some chances.”
The Verdict: Very harsh
While the former Benfica man did not get off to the best of starts for the Reds, he has really started to find his feet in recent weeks, picking up an excellent assist in the Merseyside derby on Monday night, putting his pace to good use.
The Uruguayan is now on ten goals and four assists in 27 games this season, averaging just over one goal contribution every other game, which is a very respectable record for someone in their first season at the club.
Of course, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that Nunez’s finishing improves, but it is a very good sign that the ‘brilliant‘ attacker is getting in the right positions to threaten in the first place, and his recent form indicates he could have a very strong second half of the season.
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