Liverpool endured a frustrating and off-day in front of a subdued Anfield crowd during their 0-0 draw against Manchester United on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were on the front foot for most of the match and dominated possession.
But like somebody walking on ice in flip-flops, any time Liverpool got into the final third, they slipped up and let themselves down.
Usually, the Reds rely on Mohamed Salah to deliver the goods, but he couldn’t fire, nor could Darwin Nunez, who endured another poor afternoon in front of goal.
Michael Owen fears that, when Mohamed Salah heads for the Anfield exit door, Liverpool’s big-money transfer from Benfica will struggle, as he told Premier League Productions (17/12/23 at 7:10 pm)
The former England striker thinks, as of this moment, the spotlight and goalscoring weight is on the shoulders of the Egypt star.
But when he goes, there will be a ‘sharp focus’ on Darwin Nunez and he doesn’t think he is ready to step up.
Darwin Nunez after Mohamed Salah leaves Liverpool
“Playing alongside Mo Salah probably helps,” said Owen. “Because goalscoring isn’t a massive problem for this team.
“If Mo Salah left, say he went to Saudi in the summer or something. When he eventually leaves, he isn’t going to be there forever, of course.
“That will then put him (Nunez|) into sharp focus. Then Liverpool will be thinking ‘right, where are we going to replace 25 goals in the league every season’.
“That’s when the pressure will be ramped up and, not at the moment (is he capable of doing that).”
Darwin Nunez still has a long way to go at Liverpool
There was a lot of talk of Salah possibly moving to the ever-growing Saudi Pro League last summer, but nothing happened despite a lot of noise.
But there is no smoke without fire and the worry is that talk will only accelerate again in 2024.
Whatever happens with Salah, one man who should be desperate for the 31-year-old to stay is Nunez.
Mainly because he can continue to learn from one of Liverpool’s best-ever. But also because it allows him to be inconsistent.
Until then, Nunez needs to get his act together because the quality is very much there, it’s just a case of it still being very raw.
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