Expert can’t believe Darwin Nunez could be axed after fresh Liverpool twist
Noel Whelan has backed the Liverpool attack of Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah to continue after the World Cup break.
The former Leeds striker was speaking exclusively to Football Insider as the Reds gear up for their return to Premier League action against Aston Villa on 26 December.
Nunez, Firmino, and Salah started each of Liverpool’s last three games before the mid-season World Cup break as Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz remained sidelined through injury.
Both Jota and Diaz were named in the 33-man squad travelling to Dubai in a warm-weather training camp before Liverpool return to action against Man City on 22 December.
However, according to The Athletic (9 December), Diaz has already left the camp to return to England for scans after suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee problem.
Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League after a below-par start to this season – some 15 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
When asked if Nunez, Firmino, or Salah should drop out to accommodate Jota’s return, Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “No.
“I think the front three Klopp found before the World Cup are the ones who can take Liverpool forward.
“Diaz would be the closest one, if he was fit. He’ll have a case to argue whenever he gets back.
“Jota is an excellent player, but that three is their strongest front line.
“He’ll be just a brilliant option to have off the bench – and that’s something they’ve not really had for a couple of months now.”
In other news, pundit can’t believe “sneaky” Liverpool stars have “tapped up” Jude Bellingham after new claim.