12 April 2023 , 17:03
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Darwin Nunez has been tipped to become “one of the world’s top players” immediately after Liverpool teammate Thiago Alcantara admitted he was “jealous” of the Uruguayan.
The striker completed a big-money move to Anfield last summer from Benfica and has endured a rollercoaster season. Despite the Reds’ struggles in the Premier League this term, he has still managed to score 14 goals in all competitions.
Nunez is second only behind Egyptian sensation Mo Salah in the battle to be Liverpool’s top scorer for the campaign. And after some promising performances in his maiden season with the club, ex-Liverpool forward Mark Gonzalez is tipping the striker to go right to the top.
Speaking to ESPN, as relayed by Sport Witness, the Chilean said: “It’s not easy to get to the English league, I was there for one season and it’s a thorn in my side because I always said I should have stayed there for another year and I’m sure I would have exploded there.
“It’s the same for him [Nunez], it’s a question of adaptation. Today he’s already showing it, he’s adapting. He’s a tremendous player, I think he’s going to be one of the world’s top players.
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“He has a lot of potential and he’s clearly a key player for the national team and Liverpool. He’s 23 years old, he still has a lot to deliver and learn. With what he’s giving now, imagine what he’ll do at 28 or 30.”
Thiago joked he was jealous of Nunez's physical traitsHow do you rate Darwin Nunez's first season at Liverpool? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Gonzalez’s prediction comes after Spanish midfielder Thiago shared his thoughts on Nunez’s performances this season. The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona playmaker recently admitted that he was ‘jealous’ of the Uruguayan’s work rate and running statistics.
Speaking to Liverpool’s Walk On magazine, Thiago said: "When you are into the game, when you are living the game, you just react. You cannot think too much, but running is not my thing. My thing is about making the team play slow or fast when we have to.
"For the best players in the world - and I don't have this - it is about trying to score 40 goals a season. I say to Darwin [Nunez], I never have had the feeling in my life to shoot the ball 30 metres in front of me and say I will win this race to get it.
"I feel jealous sometimes of that, for sure. But this is life, we always want what we don't have."
Nunez, 23, will be aiming to snap a four-match goalless run in the Premier League as he attempts to play a role in getting Liverpool’s stuttering season back on track. The Reds travel to Elland Road on Monday evening to take on relegation-threatened Leeds United.