Jurgen Klopp risks ‘delaying Darwin Nunez’s progress’ if he continues to use Liverpool’s big-money summer signing in a wide role in Premier League fixtures.
So says Danny Murphy, the former Anfield icon who has been left wondering – during a rather hit-and-miss debut season on Merseyside – if Nunez is becoming a victim of Klopp’s tactics.
The Uruguay international scored a remarkable 34 goals in 41 games at Benfica last term when leading the line for the Portuguese giants. Klopp, however, has often utilised Nunez wide on the left instead, fielding Cody Gakpo in the number nine spot.
Many a Liverpool supporter has pointed out the irony of such an approach. Nunez shone through the middle at Benfica, after all, while Gakpo was arguably the finest footballer in the Eredivisie while cutting in from the left-hand flank at PSV Eindhoven.
And Murphy feels that, if Klopp hopes to unleash Nunez’s full potential, the Liverpool boss should take a leaf out of Benfica’s book.
Does Klopp need to make a change with Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez?
Darwin Nunez, for me, is somebody who could be a really special forward with the attributes he’s got,” Murphy tells talkSPORT (12 April, 12.20pm).
“Phenomenal pace, great aerial ability, two-footed. Obviously he’s got to improve his finishing but he gets loads of chances. His work ethic is tremendous.
“I think you lose a bit of him playing him wide. I understand why he does, but I don’t think he’s a creator. He is somebody who gets on the end of things. I think you want him on the end of other people’s creativity.
“I think he played the best season of his career – in Portugal – as a striker. He is used to playing that role. He is someone I think other players need to get used to; his runs, when he’s coming to feet, when he’s spinning in behind. If you keep playing him wide, you delay his progress I think.”
Nunez has missed his fair share of opportunities in Liverpool colours. But, as they say, you’d rather your striker was squandering chances than not getting them in the first place. A man with Nunez’s rapid acceleration and outstanding movement is always going to come good in the numbers department. And, despite all the criticism that has come his way, he has 14 goals in just 24 Liverpool starts already.
Not bad for a Premier League debutant who was plying his trade in Spain’s second tier two years ago.
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