Ex-England forward Lianne Sanderson claims Darwin Nunez is ‘not ok’ for Liverpool – but would still get within the Manchester United team.
Nunez’s future at Anfield has come under fresh scrutiny following his horror miss in Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
With the sport finely poised, Nunez wasted a wonderful likelihood to present title-chasing Liverpool the lead, missing an open goal from contained in the box.
Reacting to Nunez’s miss, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: ‘It was not Darwin’s best leg – he’s right-footed in fact – nevertheless it was still an enormous likelihood.
‘Very unlucky and I used to be hoping he would get one other likelihood because a player like him probably wouldn’t miss two probabilities in a row and he was very close but [Emiliano] Martinez made an ideal sliding tackle to win the ball.
‘I feel we were all dissatisfied nevertheless it’s normal that the player is a little more dissatisfied than the remainder.’
Slot discussed Nunez’s response to the miss in additional detail at his pre-Manchester City press conference on Thursday, criticising the big-money signing for going into his shell.
‘I can accept every miss, especially from a player who scored two very essential goals against Brentford,’ he said. ‘I would favor him to attain however the word “likelihood” says all of it.
‘I can accept it, but what was harder to simply accept was his behaviour after that likelihood.
‘It got an excessive amount of in his head and he wasn’t the standard Darwin. He was too dissatisfied after missing it and that’s the reason he was a fraction short.’
Nunez has largely underwhelmed following his move from Benfica in 2022, which could find yourself costing Liverpool a club-record £85m.
Former England forward Sanderson believes the Uruguayan is just ‘not at Liverpool’s level’ but insists she would still take Nunez over Manchester United striker Hojlund.
Hojlund had a promising if barely underwhelming first season at Old Trafford following a £72m move from Atalanta – scoring 16 goals in all competitions – but has netted just twice within the league this term.
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Ruben Amorim is believed to be keen to sign a brand new striker in the summertime, with Viktor Gyokeres and Liam Delap being linked with moves to Manchester.
Asked about Nunez’s form for Liverpool, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Sanderson told talkSPORT: ‘It’s not ok.
‘You have got to present players time to adapt – some players can find it hard of their first season or two. But he’s had that point now. That is his third season.
‘Everyone misses probabilities, it happens to the very best of us, however the elite players know methods to recover from it quicker. As a forward you’re going to miss probabilities nevertheless it’s about the way you recuperate from that and he had one other opportunity after that.
‘I can’t deny he works his socks off but he’s just not ok, he isn’t ok.
‘He’s got all of the attributes to be a top, top player. He’s good within the air, he’s got pace, but he just isn’t that guy. That’s the truth.
‘They bought him, they gave him a go, but now they should get another person. Let me ask you this, that is something I’ve just thought. If it’s a selection of Hojlund or Nunez, who’re you having?’
When talkSPORT presenter Hugh Woozencroft said he would take Nunez over Hojlund, Sanderson responded: ‘That’s what I’m saying.
‘There are levels. I don’t think Darwin Nunez is awful, there’s a player in there somewhere – but he’s just not ok for Liverpool.’
Nunez was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January but Slot pushed for him to remain on the club as Liverpool eye Premier League – and potentially – Champions League glory.
Earlier this week, ex-Anfield midfielder Dietmar Hamann claimed Nunez would have been a ‘sensible addition’ for Liverpool’s title rivals Arsenal, who’ve been rocked by an injury crisis.
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