Liverpool news: Expert shares new Darwin Nunez fear as chart-topping details emerge
Noel Whelan has insisted Darwin Nunez’s lack of “consistency” is a “worry” for Liverpool after another series of high-profile misses.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 23-year-old is still some way off the “devastating” levels of Erling Haaland.
Nunez drew another blank against Leicester on Friday (30 December) but Liverpool still managed to defeat Leicester 2-1 to keep pace with the top four.
As per the Premier League official website, no top-flight player has now missed more big chances (14) than the Uruguayan this season.
Nunez has notched nine goals and five assists in 21 games since joining Liverpool for a reported £85million in the summer window.
The striker was often compared to Man City striker Erling Haaland during the off-season, but Nunez already trails the Norweigan by 15 league goals.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s a worry, because when you look at Haaland – he’s burying most of those chances.
“But Nunez is a handful. He makes these runs in behind, he’s got blistering pace – but he’s just not got that consistency.
“If he hits one, generally you see strikers go on a big run.
“But he’s a different striker to Haaland. Haaland is more deadly in front of goal, but Nunez is more of a worker for the team.
“He needs to improve in the one-v-ones and that final bit of quality in the box. That will make him a devastating centre-forward.
“But right now, he’s not doing what he’s being paid to do.”
In other news, expert issues “unbelievable” Ben Doak verdict after what he saw in person at Liverpool.