Tony Cascarino has claimed that new Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is a “minor upgrade” on Divock Origi.
The latter was sold to AC Milan on a free transfer earlier this year after winning every major trophy possible at Anfield and was replaced by the £64m striker.
However, the 23-year-old, who is off to a decent start on Merseyside and has seven goal contributions in 14 games (in all competitions), has failed to impress former Chelsea man Cascarino.
“And then there’s Darwin Nunez,” he wrote in his column for The Times (via Rousing The Kop). “For me the striker is just a minor improvement on Divock Origi and he is not the right man to lead the Liverpool line.
“The Uruguayan international doesn’t look good enough technically and loses the ball too quickly, which is not ideal when Liverpool are so bad at winning it back.”
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Origi is undoubtedly a Liverpool legend and a player who scored many vital goals for the club, but comparing the two strikers is unfair.
Most of Jurgen Klopp’s side are underperforming at the moment, but we certainly think the former Benfica striker has made a good impression during his first few months in England.
Trying to learn a new language, adapting to an unfamiliar style of play and trying to establish yourself in a new environment is certainly not easy, but the Uruguayan has shown glimpses of his enormous potential and his German boss admitted he remains “excited” by the ‘incredible potential’ of the striker.
His goals against Arsenal, West Ham and Ajax were impressive and we think that once the rest of the team starts to perform at the level we know they are capable of, we will soon see Nunez firing on all cylinders.
His waiting game has improved in recent weeks, while his impressive work rate has also caught the attention of many Reds fans.
Let’s hope that our new No. 27 can continue to silence his doubters and we are certainly convinced that he will be a great success for the club.
Ep63 of The Empire of the Kop podcast: Klopp’s ridiculous accusations of xenophobia, Núñez shining… and more!
