CHRIS SUTTON: Darwin Nunez is the missing piece in the Liverpool puzzle and will fit perfectly between Mo Salah and Luis Diaz … he’s deadly in the air and can direct all those crosses from Jurgen Klopp’s flying side.
- When Liverpool drew with the Spurs last month, they crossed the ball 46 times
- Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered most league crosses last season
- Seeing him in the flesh, it was Núñez’s aerial skill that impressed me.
By Chris Sutton for the Daily Mail
Posted: 22:30, June 8, 2022 | Updated: 00:11, June 9, 2022
We’ve all seen those YouTube videos that show the best things about a footballer, including a horrible dance floor that is written at the top until you find the mute button. Fans look at them to get an idea of the type their club is trying to sign.
There are already dozens dedicated to Darwin Nunez, showing his skills, his creativity, his frankness. He makes him look like an ideal man for Liverpool. But after having the pleasure of seeing him go ahead in flesh a few times, it was his aerial skill that impressed me.
With 6 feet 2 inches and 80 kg (12th 8 pounds) he is a handful for any defender, and it was his header against Ajax that made Benfica go to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. . This could be a useful addition for Liverpool at the top.
Creative, skillful and direct, Darwin Nunez (above) seems the ideal man for Liverpool
No one produced more crosses than Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Premier League last season, and Andy Robertson did not stay away from his friend.
Against teams that defend deeply, and many try this tactic when you go to Anfield, you need someone challenging you for the balls coming into the box.
When Liverpool drew 1-1 with Tottenham last month, they crossed the ball 46 times, most of any team in a single game during the 2021-22 season, and 46 times did not go beyond Hugo Lloris.
Núñez (left) scored in both games against Liverpool in the Champions League last season
As a result, Liverpool lost two points. How expensive it proved. They finished one point behind Premier League champions Manchester City. He lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid because he could not beat Thibaut Courtois.
They won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, but did not score in any of these finals against Chelsea, but relied on penalties to prevail.
If Núñez can come in and give Liverpool that advantage in these scenarios, Jurgen Klopp will consider his high cost worthwhile.
No one produced more crosses than Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Premier League last season
Klopp has already seen him score at home and away against his team in the Champions League and was a tormentor, gravitating to the left side where he could enter with his right foot.
At 22, time is on his side, and the coach can model him on the striker he wants, potentially placing him between Luis Diaz on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right.
Manchester City is often criticized for being the purse of money. They write checks that bring first-class talent. Liverpool are now willing to spend a lot because they believe Núñez is the perfect buy.
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp can model the 22-year-old in the striker he wants.
Will this £ 85 million purchase work? For this expense, they hope so, but then nothing is guaranteed. We thought Chelsea would return to Romelu Lukaku was a masterstroke that would make them candidates for the Premier League title, but it turned out to be a bad deal with £ 97.5 million.
However, I look forward to seeing Núñez fight with the Premier League defenders for crosses and show the skills that made him prolific in Portugal.