Michael Owen spoke highly about Darwin Nunez after he helped Liverpool return to the top of the Premier League table on Boxing Day.
Jurgen Klopp’s side eased past Burnley 2-0, with Darwin Nunez opening the scoring for Liverpool with a well-placed finish from outside of the box.
That was the 24-year-old’s first goal from outside of the area and his first strike in the Premier League since October.
A fair bit of stick has been coming his way of late, but Michael Owen made it clear that he was ‘loving the confidence’ that was oozing from the player, as he told Premier League Productions (26/12/23 at 6:25 pm).
Jurgen Klopp probably would have rotated anyway, but given Darwin Nunez’s drop in form, he was dropped for his side’s heavyweight clash against Arsenal last time out.
But now he is back on the scoresheet again, he will be hoping he can start to put together a run of form.
Michael Owen is certainly urging him on from the sidelines, as he reacted to his performance against Burnley.
Darwin Nunez answers Liverpool critics
“Very confident,” said Owen about Nunez’s finish despite his recent form. “I loved the finish. Cool and composed. Side foot from outside of the box.
“He did well actually because he was involved in the build-up and he was probably fouled as well. The referee played a good advantage – he just ghosts onto the edge of the box. I really like his confidence. Side foot into the top corner.
“That is a real top finish for a player that gets a little bit of criticism for his finishing but there is nothing wrong with that.
“It’s a surprise (that he hasn’t scored from outside of the box before). He has got a really good strike on him, so I am surprised he hasn’t scored from outside of the box – he is a talented player. He could have scored more. And Liverpool could have scored more.”
Can Darwin Nunez step up?
This is a crucial time for Liverpool. If Arsenal beat West Ham United, then they will return to the top of the table.
And then there is Manchester City, who have returned from Club World Cup duty, and are ready to take their crown again.
Come the New Year, Mohamed Salah will be off to the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be a massive dent to this Liverpool title-chasing team.
This is where the likes of Nunez need to step up and take responsibility, or else, the pressure will seriously start to fall on his shoulders.
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