21 October 2023 , 06:56
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Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a better all-round player than Darwin Nunez, according to former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique.
Nunez joined Liverpool last summer from Benfica for a club-record transfer fee which could reach £85million if all add-ons are achieved. He has contributed 19 goals and seven assists in 52 appearances for the club so far, and while he has shown glimpses of his undoubted talent, he has been inconsistent in front of goal.
The Uruguay international will come up against Calvert-Lewin in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday as Liverpool host Everton at Anfield. Calvert-Lewin is back to full fitness after being limited to just 15 Premier League starts last season by injury and will likely lead the line for Sean Dyche’s side.
The 26-year-old has 63 goals and 19 assists in 215 games for Everton and, surprisingly, Enrique is a big fan. He told Grosvenor Sport: “Obviously, Liverpool fans are not going to like hearing this from me, but with both Darwin Nunez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin fully fit, I think I would take Calvert-Lewin.
“People seem to forget how good Calvert-Lewin is when he’s fully fit – he’s an excellent player. The way I see it – put Darwin Nunez in any world-class teams in the world and I don’t think he’s starts for most of them. However, if Calvert-Lewin could keep himself fit, I really believe he could be a starting No.9 for a world-class team, that’s the kind of level I see from him.
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Darwin Nunez has been guilty of missing some good chances this season (Sebastien Smets/Getty Images) HAVE YOUR SAY! Do you agree with Jose Enrique? Comment below.
“Even when Darwin Nunez is scoring goals for Liverpool, I still have my doubts about him as a player under Jurgen Klopp. I love him and think he would do well for loads of other teams who play counter-attacking football – he’s outstanding for that – but for a team that presses a lot like Liverpool do, I’m not so sure.”
Nunez has three goals and two assists in seven Premier League games so far this season. He comes into the Everton game full of confidence after scoring and assisting in Uruguay’s 2-0 win over Brazil in Montevideo on Wednesday – their first over their neighbours since 2001.
The 24-year-old has shone at times for Liverpool, but another of the club’s former players, Michael Owen, has been frustrated with his performances.
“He does some great things and then some awful things,” he said on TNT Sports earlier this month. “There are so many gaps in his game. He has all the raw materials to be a top player but he needs a lot of coaching and some experience.
“For the money they spent, I thought you would get a more rounded player. I have been surprised to see how many gaps he has in his game. I am reluctant to write him off because he has some unbelievable attributes.”