Whelan on Darwin Nunez starting v Everton after Liverpool development
Noel Whelan has backed Roberto Firmino to start over Darwin Nunez when Liverpool face Everton on Saturday (3 September).
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 22-year-old hitman has “marked his card” after his sending-off.
Nunez is eligible to face Everton on Saturday (3 September) after serving a three-match ban for headbutting Joachim Andersen in the draw against Crystal Palace last month.
The club-record addition had notched a goal and an assist from the bench in his first Premier League game – earning him a start against Palace.
Roberto Firmino has stepped up in the Uruguay international’s absence, scoring three goals and registering three assists in his last three games.
Whelan suggested Nunez will be a target after his actions last month.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s marked his card – he can be got at.
“Hopefully he’s learnt from it and understands that the petulance won’t be stood for. He will get people who want to wind him up every game now.
“I think with the way they’ve won the last two, I don’t think he’ll start. It’s a game for players who know what it’s all about.
“The fact that Firmino is on fire, scoring and assisting – I think Nunez takes a back seat. He’s shown that he can make the difference when he comes on as a sub.
“That’s a weapon for Liverpool to have later on in the game when the tempo has died down.
“I very much doubt that he’ll start when you have two defenders in Conor Coady and James Tarkowski who would love to try and get a reaction out of him.”
In other news, medical insider claims Thiago Alcantara could miss “half the season” as new Liverpool details emerge.