Darwin Nunez compared to ex-Liverpool striker who ‘struggled putting chances away’ by former Reds boss Rafa Benitez
DARWIN NUNEZ has been compared to an ex-Liverpool who striker who initially “struggled putting chances away” by Rafa Benitez.
The Reds signed the Uruguayan for £85million from Benfica last summer.
He has taken time to adjust to English football, netting just six goals in his first 17 Prem appearances.
Nunez, 23, put Liverpool in front with a clinical finish in their 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
And former boss Benitez has backed him to come good, likening him to one of his best ever Reds signings.
Appearing as a pundit on Sky Sports, the Spaniard said: “He is a hard worker – he’s always making the runs and doing the right things.
“After he finished and scored a great goal manager will be happy.”
Elaborating on Nunez’s qualities, Benitez added: “My feeling is you are watching the game – as a manager you are really worried.
“He has the pace to do that and run in behind. For you as a manger he is someone you have to worry about then he will finish.
“When Fernando Torres first came to Liverpool, he struggled with putting chances away – he was a great player but he wasn’t a great finisher.
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“We worked with him and in time he became the Fernando we knew.”
Torres, 38, bagged four goals in his first 11 Prem appearances for Liverpool in 2007, before grabbing 20 in the next 22.
The Red’s win over Newcastle took them to within six points of the fourth placed Toon.
They also possess a game in hand on Eddie Howe’s side, who went down to ten men when Nick Pope was sent off – with Cody Gakpo having already doubled the Reds’ advantage after Nunez’s opener.
Nunez is a doubt for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid after being forced off on 59 minutes with a shoulder injury.
After the match, boss Jurgen Klopp said: “If it shows up that Darwin has nothing on his shoulder, it would make my day.”