Darwin Núñez | Liverpool player | Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shish

Klopper76

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Definitely. Look I have nothing against Nunez but obviously am biased against your club. However he gives me cold sweats and reminders of Lukaku (and has any time I seen Benfica and before Liverpool were linked). I'm sure he'll score goals for you, because you have an awesome team but when I think of your best I think of a technical genius like Firmino, who didn't score loads but really tied the entire thing together.

Also unfortunately for Nunez, he has been bought the same summer as Haaland was. So 2 teams who have been toe to toe for the last 4-5 years, who have both signed strikers in the one summer. The lad is inevitably going to be up against, not only his transfer fee, but Haaland himself. Very big pressure for the lad.

Look maybe Klopp will work another miracle and turn him into a superstar but, from what I've seen, this may be your first big transfer mistake (you're bloody due one!!!) in the last few years. Unfortunately for Nunez his form will definitely be a huge focus this year.
It's also a big change for Klopp's Liverpool as well. This will be the first time we've played with a proper number 9 since Benteke was at the club. We tried it a few times with Sturridge but he was never suited to it (or fit enough to play). Since 15/16 we've either had Firmino as a false 9, Origi for spells or Mane/Salah/Jota playing as the central forward. All of those options are vastly different to Nunez.

I don't think that compilation from today is a complete disaster. He's getting chances in the box and was unlucky to hit the bar. His touch and passing seem all over the place so far though. It's like he's trying to play at a faster pace than he's used to and is messing everything up as a result.
 

kidbob

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It's also a big change for Klopp's Liverpool as well. This will be the first time we've played with a proper number 9 since Benteke was at the club. We tried it a few times with Sturridge but he was never suited to it (or fit enough to play). Since 15/16 we've either had Firmino as a false 9, Origi for spells or Mane/Salah/Jota playing as the central forward. All of those options are vastly different to Nunez.

I don't think that compilation from today is a complete disaster. He's getting chances in the box and was unlucky to hit the bar. His touch and passing seem all over the place so far though. It's like he's trying to play at a faster pace than he's used to and is messing everything up as a result.
Yeah agree it is a change in style. However of course you guys have to trust Klopp for that change if he feels its nescessary. I mean SAF did the same many times too and its an inevitable part of football. For Liverpool its better to be doing it under one of the top 2 managers in the World. I don't really take the current preseason videos of him into consideration. I'm sure he'll definitely improve. I mean Lukaku scored lots for us but ironically it was Martial's best run of form that seen us look our best as a team.

I personally think it might need time more than anything. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the first season in ages that you are comfortably second but closer to 3rd than 1st, as the changes take shape. So it'd be entirely up to the Liverpool fans and board to be ok with that. However I'll never doubt Klopp so equally you could explode from nowhere and hit the ground running. I mean 95% of your squad is still in place.

Can't be a coincidence that the 2 best coaches in the World have suddenly signed proper strikers after years of going without after all. Should be, hopefully, a very interesting season for the top 6 and a bit less predictable.
 

SportingCP96

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This is the same Darwin I see last year, only difference is he won’t score 20+ goals in England.
 

GoldanoGraham

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Don’t think Liverpool will score anywhere near as many goals as previous seasons - Mane will be a massive miss and the frontline structure will change - don’t think Nunez gonna settle for a while. Don’t think Salah will hit pre Xmas last season heights again. Everyone older by a year and last years massive failings will take their toll.

Im putting it out there - don’t think Liverpool will finish top 3 - possibly worse. The team peaked last year and don’t think they are as strong as last year without Mane.

Nunez going to carry the can. Got Forlan written all over him.
 

Klopper76

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Yeah agree it is a change in style. However of course you guys have to trust Klopp for that change if he feels its nescessary. I mean SAF did the same many times too and its an inevitable part of football. For Liverpool its better to be doing it under one of the top 2 managers in the World. I don't really take the current preseason videos of him into consideration. I'm sure he'll definitely improve. I mean Lukaku scored lots for us but ironically it was Martial's best run of form that seen us look our best as a team.

I personally think it might need time more than anything. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the first season in ages that you are comfortably second but closer to 3rd than 1st, as the changes take shape. So it'd be entirely up to the Liverpool fans and board to be ok with that. However I'll never doubt Klopp so equally you could explode from nowhere and hit the ground running. I mean 95% of your squad is still in place.

Can't be a coincidence that the 2 best coaches in the World have suddenly signed proper strikers after years of going without after all. Should be, hopefully, a very interesting season for the top 6 and a bit less predictable.
Tbf in 2020/21 we finished much closer to 5th than we did to 1st.

I think City's purchase of Haaland was because they don't have a striker. We signed Nunez because Mane wanted to leave and we needed a replacement for the front line (especially with Origi and Minamino being sold/released). Still you're right that it'll be interesting seeing how City and Liverpool adapt. I don't think any of the other four have improved enough to bridge the gap (maybe Spurs are closer) but it does look like being a competitive season.

City will still probably win the league though.
 

Skills

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He genuinely looks uncomfortable playing football :lol:

He seems to find himself in goal scoring positions an awful lot of times. If he scores that sitter in the middle of the box, nobody bothers making this lowlight because that looks like a fairly standard game for a striker.
 

MackRobinson

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He seems to find himself in goal scoring positions an awful lot of times. If he scores that sitter in the middle of the box, nobody bothers making this lowlight because that looks like a fairly standard game for a striker.
He's clearly an explosive player who makes good runs, and I think he will score goals, but he looks awkward w/o space.
 

OpenIntrovert

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He seems to find himself in goal scoring positions an awful lot of times. If he scores that sitter in the middle of the box, nobody bothers making this lowlight because that looks like a fairly standard game for a striker.
Yes his movement and positioning is very good, which is why Klopp went for him. His ball control seems to be an issue but it can be overwritten with Liverpool's direct final ball approach.

I feel if Liverpool were to fail this season, it wont be due to Nunez but more of other teams exploiting their 4-3-3 by putting wingbacks on their flanks. Excluding Tottenham, Chelsea and Man City, Brighton and West Ham have shown how to do this and more teams will follow.
 

Skills

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He's clearly an explosive player who makes good runs, and I think he will score goals, but he looks awkward w/o space.
Considering how great Liverpool are getting the breakthrough early on in a game, it's going to be a terrifying prospect for teams trying to chase games against them. You either give up and settle for a 1/2-0 loss, or risk getting butchered on the counter.

It's the same with City & Haaland.
 

antohan

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Also unfortunately for Nunez, he has been bought the same summer as Haaland was. So 2 teams who have been toe to toe for the last 4-5 years, who have both signed strikers in the one summer. The lad is inevitably going to be up against, not only his transfer fee, but Haaland himself. Very big pressure for the lad.
Random brainwave while reading this: both played back at the 2019 U20 World Cup. Same Group Stage, Haaland scored that record 9 in the one game against 4th placed Honduras while Nuñez only got 2 but they were the opening goals in victories over Norway and New Zealand.

Doubt it's remotely relevant at this stage, but if the season pans out that way (effective>prolific) I guess Liverpool will be pretty chuffed.
 

GaryLifo

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My Liverpool supporting mate was convinced that mane would leave and would be replaced by Nkunku and it would be as if nothing had changed.

Nunez looks to me like he's playing mentally scared and I really don't think he's suited to Klopp's football. Him doing so well against Liverpool in terms of goals possibly blinded them to his other technical limitations.

I'm not going to write him off just yet, but to live up to that price tag he's going to need to get at least 15-18 league goals this season.

They are due a massive dud though tbf. Every other club has had loads and they've only had Keite in about 6 years.
 

Dumbstar

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He seems to find himself in goal scoring positions an awful lot of times. If he scores that sitter in the middle of the box, nobody bothers making this lowlight because that looks like a fairly standard game for a striker.
I'm not sure you got the memo.
 

Andre Kagawa

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He's clearly a big talent, but was he really valued at that astronomical price? Were they 'battling' for his signature?
 

GoonerBear

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I don't think that compilation from today is a complete disaster. He's getting chances in the box and was unlucky to hit the bar. His touch and passing seem all over the place so far though. It's like he's trying to play at a faster pace than he's used to and is messing everything up as a result.
To be fair, I think from what I've seen this sums up the player so far, not just his few games for Liverpool.

The lad will score goals, of that I have no doubt, but he'll also frustrate a bit during general play. So he'll always be a danger, but Liverpool won't look as slick or as polished as they have done in the past.

Of course, he's still young so there's plenty of coaching Klopp & Co will do for him.
 

Syphon Wallet

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How much did he cost again? I'm getting differing views.
Too much.

I think it will come down to his mentality, he will have games where he is absolutely dog, and will get memed and criticised.
Will he be tough enough to deal with that, if he can then I could see him score quite a few.
 

Cee90

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Unfortunately there’s not much doubt in my mind that he will do well for Liverpool, he is a unique profile of striker IMO.

Might take him a while to get going though, but I expect him to get around 15 league goals still.
 

Rooney in Paris

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This thread's going to get bumped a lot this season, one way or the other.
I mean, massive transfer to Utd's historic rival, on a Utd forum... yeah, it's going to get bumped.

I can't say I watched him at all last season, but I'm really curious about this one. He doesn't seem to fit the mould Klopp had for his forward line, he seems quite clumsy. But maybe Klopp is just embracing his long ball approach, that's been quite prevalent over the years, and wanted a proper target man? Seems like a weird transfer overall, curious to see how it goes.
 

Dumbstar

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I'm reading £85 million (with addons included) - as per bbc.co.uk.
Is that an astronomical amount then? If it's including add-ons it would mean things like him winning the PL and/or CL and scoring over 25-30 goals per season.

Then £85m is bargain!! No?

Or he doesn't achieve all of that so he costs around £50-60m which is what we'll get for him if we decide to get rid.
 

thegregster

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It's over for him. A 100m flop. Klopp has been shocked by how poor he is. He will be loaned out in Italy and Sesko will be his replacement by the weekend.
 

Andre Kagawa

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Is that an astronomical amount then? If it's including add-ons it would mean things like him winning the PL and/or CL and scoring over 25-30 goals per season.

Then £85m is bargain!! No?

Or he doesn't achieve all of that so he costs around £50-60m which is what we'll get for him if we decide to get rid.
Point taken and you might prove right!

Edit: Not sure about you getting all that money back if he flops hard though.
 

mctrials23

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Looks uncomfortable under pressure and doesn't have great close control but knows where the goal is. If they can feed him chances he will score plenty, he just doesn't look like a player who will make much for himself. How that pans out with Liverpool I have no idea.
 

Shinjch

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I thought I saw that one of the add-ons was around 5 million after he plays 10 games and another 5 million after he plays 50, is that right? That sounds like guaranteed money.
 

RedEM10

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To be fair he could have scored 2 in that game easily and was in some brilliant positions. Some great defending stopped him from scoring 2 rather than him making a mess of it
 

Davie Moyes

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I thought I saw that one of the add-ons was around 5 million after he plays 10 games and another 5 million after he plays 50, is that right? That sounds like guaranteed money.
Yes that's about right as reported at time of signing. This is guaranteed money, not the winning Balon Dor type of add-ons. Seems alot of money but then I think we have overpayed for Martinez and could end up paying a Nunez type fee for Antony.

It's definitely a seller's market at the moment and a shortage of real quality also.