Kris Boyd has claimed that Darwin Nunez was a ‘handful’ for Glasgow Rangers as Liverpool recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over the Scottish Premiership club in the Champions League on Tuesday night at Anfield, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports News.
Before a ball was kicked, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side knew they had their work cut out against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, given the gulf in class between the two.
Well, that proved to be an issue straightaway and Rangers weren’t helped by the fact that Trent Alexander-Arnold pinged a stunning free-kick into the top corner inside ten minutes.
Despite dominating for large parts, the Reds only went into the break with a one-goal lead, but Leon King’s foul on Luis Diaz in the second half allowed Mohamed Salah to net a much-needed goal from the penalty spot and put that cushion between the two sides.
Nunez didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he continued to put himself into dangerous positions and try to use his strength to cause problems in the final third.
Ibrox legend Boyd felt that Nunez was causing issues for his former club and how he just wasn’t allowing Rangers to play out from the back.
“Darwin Nunez has put himself about,” said Boyd. “He’s been a handful and he’s been aggressive in the press. And he’s not allowed Rangers to get out.”
NUNEZ NEEDS TIME
It has been a stop-start opening few months for Nunez on Merseyside, from a number of game-changing performances from the bench to his sending-off against Crystal Palace and now getting himself back into the XI.
The 23-year-old needs a goal to provide him with that confidence booster that he needs in front of goal because he is snatching at his chances, at this moment in time.
Klopp started him against Rangers, with Roberto Firmino on the bench, will the same happen again on Sunday against Arsenal?
In truth, for his own form, he probably needs another start because that’s the only way Liverpool fans can see him progress his game.
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