‘He’s not Liverpool level – but Darwin Nunez would replace Man Utd flop’

Ex-England forward Lianne Sanderson claims Darwin Nunez is ‘not good enough’ for Liverpool – but would still get in the Manchester United team. Nunez’s future at Anfield has come under fresh scrutiny following his horror miss in Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

With the game finely poised, Nunez wasted a glorious chance to give title-chasing Liverpool the lead, missing an open goal from inside the box. Reacting to Nunez’s miss, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: ‘It was not Darwin’s best leg – he’s right-footed of course – but it was still a big chance.

‘Very unlucky and I was hoping he would get another chance because a player like him probably wouldn’t miss two chances in a row and he was very close but [Emiliano] Martinez made a great sliding tackle to win the ball. ‘I think we were all disappointed but it’s normal that the player is a bit more disappointed than the rest.’.

Slot discussed Nunez’s reaction to the miss in more detail at his pre-Manchester City press conference on Thursday, criticising the big-money signing for going into his shell. ‘I can accept every miss, especially from a player who scored two very important goals against Brentford,’ he said. ‘I would prefer him to score but the word “chance” says it all.

‘I can accept it, but what was harder to accept was his behaviour after that chance. ‘It got too much in his head and he wasn’t the usual Darwin. He was too disappointed after missing it and that is why he was a fraction short.’. Nunez has largely underwhelmed following his move from Benfica in 2022, which could end up costing Liverpool a club-record £85m.

Former England forward Sanderson believes the Uruguayan is simply ‘not at Liverpool’s level’ but insists she would still take Nunez over Manchester United striker Hojlund. Hojlund had a promising if slightly underwhelming first season at Old Trafford following a £72m move from Atalanta – scoring 16 goals in all competitions – but has netted just twice in the league this term.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. Ruben Amorim is believed to be keen to sign a new striker in the summer, with Viktor Gyokeres and Liam Delap being linked with moves to Manchester.

Asked about Nunez’s form for Liverpool, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Sanderson told talkSPORT: ‘It’s not good enough. ‘You have to give players time to adapt – some players can find it hard in their first season or two. But he’s had that time now. This is his third season.

‘Everyone misses chances, it happens to the best of us, but the elite players know how to get over it quicker. As a forward you’re going to miss chances but it’s about how you recover from that and he had another opportunity after that. ‘I can’t deny he works his socks off but he’s just not good enough, he isn’t good enough.

‘He’s got all the attributes to be a top, top player. He’s good in the air, he’s got pace, but he just isn’t that guy. That’s the reality. ‘They bought him, they gave him a go, but now they need to get someone else. Let me ask you this, this is something I’ve just thought. If it’s a choice of Hojlund or Nunez, who are you having?’.

When talkSPORT presenter Hugh Woozencroft said he would take Nunez over Hojlund, Sanderson responded: ‘That’s what I’m saying. ‘There are levels. I don’t think Darwin Nunez is awful, there’s a player in there somewhere – but he’s just not good enough for Liverpool.’.

Nunez was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January but Slot pushed for him to stay at the club as Liverpool eye Premier League – and potentially – Champions League glory. Earlier this week, ex-Anfield midfielder Dietmar Hamann claimed Nunez would have been a ‘brilliant addition’ for Liverpool’s title rivals Arsenal, who have been rocked by an injury crisis.

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