Emile Heskey has said that in his opinion, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is more effective as a winger.
Jamie Carragher said he was excited by the sight of seeing the Uruguayan as a part of Jurgen Klopp’s new-look front 3 alongside Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah against Manchester United. While Ian Wright claimed he had always backed the ‘honest’ £140,000-a-week goalscorer to explode for the Merseyside-based club.
However, Emile Heskey has said that Darwin Nunez looks like a much more natural fit as a winger than when he is deployed up front.
Emile Heskey says Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is a better fit as a winger
Considering the former Benfica hitman was one of the most productive No.9’s in Europe last summer, it would come as a surprise if his long-term future is out wide for the Reds.
However, Emile Heskey told the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast why Darwin Nunez looks better as a winger than as a striker for Liverpool.
“As strikers, Nunez, I think, he’s better on the wing. For me, personally, I’m not sure he’s ready to deal with his back to goal right now in the Premier League. Give him the ball so he’s facing the goal and I don’t think there’s many that who can stop him.”
“He’s so quick and direct, and now he’s coming into his own where he’s getting his head up as well and looking at sliding players in.”
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
Currently, Cody Gakpo is playing as his side’s designated striker and while he is yet to fully adjust to the role, he certainly looked the part against Manchester United as he scored a brace in the 7-0 thrashing.
Darwin Nunez did the same as a left winger and on a number of occasions, he has looked far better out of position for Liverpool, which is why Emile Heskey may have point.
While trying to force him into the centre-forward role would perhaps affect the balance of the firing front 3, he should be bedded into the role gradually as naturally, he still remains a striker and a talented one.
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