Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has suggested that Darwin Nunez isn’t good enough to be playing for the Reds, as his disappointing run of form continues.
There was such excitement when Nunez moved to Anfield in the summer of 2022, having become a devastating attacking option for Benfica.
While the 25-year-old has enjoyed good moments in a Liverpool shirt, there are still flaws in his game that don’t appear to be going away.
On Saturday, Nunez missed two big chances in the Reds’ 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round, meaning he has only scored once in his last 12 appearances.
Speaking on ITV Sport, Fowler didn’t hold back in his criticism for the Uruguayan, even going so far as to say that he’s “not a Liverpool player”:
“He’s raw, he’s this, he’s that, and we can’t keep saying that. So for me, the more I see him, the more I think he’s not a Liverpool player.
“Now, people might have a go at me for saying this: you know, he works hard; you’re not signing a player because he works hard because that should be a prerequisite anyway.
“You’ve got to come in, you’ve got to score goals, and I know he’s a fan favourite for what he puts in, but at the time that we’re talking now, you’ve got to perform better, and you’ve got to do better in the Liverpool shirt.”
Our thoughts on Fowler’s comments about Nunez…
While some may feel Fowler has been overly harsh, it’s hard not to feel frustrated watching Nunez, considering the same old issues are on show in his game.
In front of goal, he continues to lack ruthlessness, and while his work ethic is excellent, he doesn’t link play or make the correct decisions as often as the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
If Nunez doesn’t improve significantly during the second half of the season, it is easy to see Arne Slot have no plans for him moving forward, perhaps wanting the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes to find a superior centre forward in the summer.
