Darwin Nunez could now be frozen out at Liverpool amid ‘massive’ claim – pundit
Noel Whelan has backed Roberto Firmino to “make his mark” for Liverpool in the coming games as he looks to keep Darwin Nunez out of the side past his three-match suspension.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the derby clash against Man United is already a “must-win” game – even at this early stage of the season.
Firmino is set to return to the Liverpool side against Man United on Monday (22 August) after missing last week’s draw against Crystal Palace as an injury precaution.
Nunez lead the line in his stead, but was sent off for violent conduct and will now miss three games in the next 10 days.
Firmino, who is out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season, managed 11 goals in 35 appearances last season but is yet to get off the mark in 2022-23.
Whelan insisted the Brazillian has a “massive opportunity” to stay in the side after Nunez’s ill discipline.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “Everyone was desperate to get Liverpool off the mark.
“It was important, especially with Man City dropping points on Sunday.
“It was really a must-win game, even this early in the season. They’ve got to stay in touch because City won’t drop too many more points.
“Firmino, for me, when you’ve got a striker out – he’ll want to make his mark.
“He will want to keep that place. The big-money signing is out, he’s in the bad books – and now Firmino has a massive opportunity.”
In other news, finance guru backs Liverpool to rake it in as winner named in £1.3bn “bidding war”.