Liverpool may fancy signing Benfica striker Darwin Nunez but former Reds ace Steve McManaman has absolutely blasted him.
Liverpool headed away to Benfica on Tuesday night in search of a strong first-leg performance in their Champions League quarter-final clash.
The Reds claimed a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz, with Liverpool having one foot in the semi-finals now.
They were given a scare though as Benfica did get themselves back into the game in the second half.
An error from Konate allowed Darwin Nunez to swoop in and score, calmly slotting past Alisson in the Liverpool goal.
In truth, Nunez was a threat throughout the night – not that Liverpool needed any great reminder of that.
Melissa Reddy, one of the top Liverpool sources out there, claimed on Sky Sports on Tuesday that Nunez has been looked at by Liverpool for a ‘long time’.
When Jurgen Klopp called Nunez a ‘top, top boy’ earlier this week, you could safely assume that he is on the Liverpool radar.
Nunez, 22, has smashed 28 goals and three assists in 35 games this season.
The Uruguayan looks primed for a huge move at the end of the campaign, and a bid could yet come from Liverpool.
There was one moment in Tuesday’s game that left Virgil van Dijk angry though.
Nunez raced away down the left flank and cut inside Van Dijk inside the box. Under little contact, Nunez hit the deck in search of a penalty.
As Nunez appealed for a spot kick, Van DIjk angrily threw his arms in the air, seemingly bemused at Nunez throwing himself to the ground.
Pundit Steve McManaman echoed that sentiment during his co-commentary duties with BT Sport.
“He doesn’t need to do it,” said McManaman. “Yes, there’s an arm across his chest, but he should stay on his feet and carry on. He just crumbles to the floor!” he added.
That may not have gone down well with Van Dijk, but the Dutchman may well find Nunez as one of his teammates in the very near future.
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