02 September 2023 , 19:30
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John Aldridge is predicting Liverpool’s Tyneside hero Darwin Nunez will hit 30 goals this season.
Legendary Reds marksman Aldridge believes Nunez’s two late clinical strikes against Newcastle United last Sunday will open the floodgates for the £85million striker. The former Liverpool star hopes that Kop boss Jurgen Klopp will start Nunez against Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday after so far this campaign restricting him to a role as a substitute.
Aldridge said: “Nunez is like a greyhound in a trap desperate to get out and run and show what he can do. What he did at Newcastle I knew he had in his locker. Both finishes were outrageously good, and you could see what it meant to him.
“There are six strikers if you include Ben Doak and of course they all want to play. There is pressure on all of them. To keep your place in the team you’ve got to score goals. Having them all champing at the bit is healthy for the team.
“Who is going to score the most goals? Mo Salah might reach 30 and I think Nunez could get the same. Diogo Jota could manage 25, Cody Gakpo 20 and Luis Diaz 15.
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“After what he did at St. James’ Park Nunez has been the first name on Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet for the Villa game. When your confidence is high you are capable of going on a serious goal run. Just ask Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler.
Darwin Nunez celebrates his winning goal against Newcastle (Getty Images)“Hopefully Jurgen will be able to find a way to get Nunez into the team on a more regular basis.”
His first season on Merseyside, which ended with nine goals in 30 Premier League appearances, split opinions amongst Liverpool fans.
But Aldridge insists any patience will be rewarded especially when you look at his career. In his first season at Benfica after joining from Almeria he only scored six goals in 29 Primeira Liga appearances but weighed in with 26 goals in 28 games the following season before leaving for Liverpool.
Nunez has never shied away from pressure illustrated by his decision before the start of the season to take on the number nine shirt vacated by Roberto Firmino.
Former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt believes Nunez will thrive this season. “He is desperate to be more involved and to make a difference. Everyone can see the talent he has. He’s different from the other Liverpool forwards.
“He loves to make runs behind the defenders and as he showed on Sunday he can be a clinical finisher. Hopefully he will carry on from the Newcastle game.”