Luis Suarez parallels give Liverpool cause for Darwin Nunez optimism

02 January 2024 , 10:33

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Luis Suarez parallels give Liverpool cause for Darwin Nunez optimism

Darwin Nunez has developed a reputation for being wasteful in front of goal since joining Liverpool from Benfica in 2022 in a deal worth an initial £64million.

The 24-year-old has not been a prolific goalscorer for the Reds and he failed to score again in Liverpool's 4-2 win over Newcastle on Monday, despite having several clear chances as Jurgen Klopp's side recorded the highest ever expected goals total on record of 7.27.

However, there are some parallels between Nunez's start to life at Anfield and that of fellow Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who went on to become one of the greatest strikers in the world after an indifferent start.

Omar Chaudhuri, the chief intelligence officer at sports intelligence agency Twenty First Group, pointed out on social media how similar the pair's Premier League returns have been at the start of their Liverpool careers.

Suarez played 3,644 minutes, took 183 shots and scored 15 goals in his first 18 months Anfield following a switch from Ajax in January 2011. Nunez, meanwhile, has played 2,749 minutes, taken 134 shots and scored 14 goals for Liverpool so far since signing from Benfica 18 months ago.

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In his last two seasons at Liverpool, Suarez became a much more prolific goalscorer as he notched 23 goals in 33 league games in the 2012-13 campaign and then 31 goals in 33 games in the 2013-14 campaign which also saw him win both the Premier League golden boot and player of the season awards.

And Suarez has played a key role in Nunez's career already, having been asked by Liverpool to speak to the forward when he was struggling in his first season at Anfield. "He has potential, technical ability and physical power that he is demonstrating," Suarez told AUF TV earlier this year.

(AFP via Getty Images)

"As a teammate, I am not surprised because I knew, even when he had a bad time in Liverpool last year I spoke to him, in Liverpool they told me to talk to him. I warned him and told him what English football was.

"He, with the heart he has, opened up and told me what It had happened to him at that moment, we talked about it. Also about the number 9 shirt in the national team, I told him that when I leave I want him to grab it. That's why, if you listen to Darwin's statements, he says it with total sincerity.

"As a teammate I am happy for him; I spoke about it internally, and before the game with Brazil. These are things that we are happy about as teammates. We are different, we are from different generations, and I am happy for the moment that he is experiencing in his club and in the national team."

Matthew Cooper