Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez admits that the competitiveness of the Premier League has surprised him. Even after Manchester City hero Nicolas Otamendi warned of the challenge.
The 23-year-old moved to Merseyside last June in a potential club-record transfer with the Anfield natives. Liverpool paid Benfica an initial £64m, rising to £85m with add-ons, to sign Nunez. He also agreed to put pen to paper on a £140k-a-week salary through to June 2028.
Before heading to England, Nunez bent Otamendi’s ear having been teammates at Benfica for the prior year. The Argentina defender warned the Uruguay forward that the division is a tough test with so many strong sides. But Nunez still did not expect the competitiveness.
“It’s a very big change,” Nunez admitted to Sky Sports. “Here, the league is stronger, more competitive. I didn’t expect it to be so strong. Nico Otamendi told me that but I still didn’t expect it. It has impressed me a lot.
“There are no bad teams – they are all in this league for a reason. The football is more difficult than in Portugal and more competitive. You don’t get much time.”
Nunez sought Manchester City hero Otamendi’s advice before his Liverpool transfer
Otamendi spent five seasons in the Premier League at Manchester City, which also saw the 34-year-old lift two titles. He helped the Etihad Stadium team top the table in 2017/18 and in 2018/19. Liverpool lifted the title at Manchester City’s expense in Otamendi’s final term.
Leicester City and Chelsea also secured the Premier League crown during Otamendi’s first two seasons in England. Manuel Pellegrini signed the centre-back from Valencia in August 2015 for £28.5m, rising to £32m. He went on play 136 top-flight games and hit eight goals.
So, Otamendi had plenty of Premier League experience with Manchester City to lean on as Nunez sought his advice ahead of a transfer to Liverpool. Although the challenge posed by English top-flight clubs has still surprised the striker. He has scored five goals in 14 outings.
Nunez has so far fired home against Fulham, Arsenal, West Ham United and Southampton (2) through his top-flight appearances. He scored against the Cottagers on the opening day of the campaign. While the Irons and Saints are both fighting to avoid relegation this term.
Liverpool take on another relegation-threatened team this Saturday away at Wolves. The Molineux natives go into the game outside of the drop zone only on goal difference. They have scored a division-low 12 goals through 20 games and have conceded 30 times so far.
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