Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Darwin Nunez has been a ‘flop’ at Liverpool so far in comparison to Gabriel Jesus being a ‘top’ summer capture for Arsenal, as he told Vibe with Five.
The Manchester United legend was reacting to claims that there is this perception that Jesus has had a better start to life at Arsenal than Nunez has at Liverpool, even though the duo have scored the same amount of goals.
From Nunez’s 12 matches in all competitions, he has scored five goals and supplied one assist, whilst Jesus has the same amount to his name, but four assists – all in the Premier League.
At this moment in time, the Brazil international is going through a bit of a sticky patch and he hasn’t scored in five matches in all competitions.
But that doesn’t hide the fact that he provides more than just goals for his team, including linking up the midfield and attack, finding space for teammates such as Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, whilst also dropping deep and acting like that extra midfielder.
All of this was touched upon by Ferdinand when it was suggested to him that there seems to be a lot of overhyping around Jesus given that he has scored the same amount of goals as Nunez, who is being questioned for the start he has made.
“Flop, so far,” said Ferdinand about Nunez after saying that Jesus has been a ‘top’ signing. “But we are going to go on stats. If we are going to go on goals, then you can say they are both much as much this season, in terms of goals.
“But the impact, it’s all about the impact on your team and your teammates. Jesus has undeniably been better than Nunez.
“You gave me an option between top or flop. I am going to lean on the side of a flop (for Nunez). I don’t think he’s been an outright flop. I am going to lean on that side.
“What he (Jesus) has done to their team, I think he brings more than goals. I think Arteta would like more than just goals from that number nine. A bit like Firmino, when he was flying at Liverpool. When Firmino wasn’t getting 25 goals a season, was Klopp going ‘he’s not for me. I am going to look out for a new striker’.”
NUNEZ AND JESUS HAVE HAD POSITIVE STARTS
Sometimes it’s not all about the numbers, but the impact you make upon your arrival, and in that regard, Nunez and Jesus deserve more respect.
It could be argued that the Liverpool 23-year-old arrived with more pressure because Sadio Mane had just left the building, and whilst they aren’t similar players, you are entering the Anfield stage whilst a club legend leaves.
But, in between Nunez’s red card, he has been efficient and dominant in the final third, looked rusty at times, but he’s shown enough that he can be worked on and he can take his game to serious levels under Jurgen Klopp.
As for Jesus, the Brazil star is more of a technical player, and whilst every forward is going to be judged by numbers, he is a player that can pull off an 8/10 performance without scoring.
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