18 December 2023 , 22:07
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Dietmar Hamann admits the form of Darwin Nunez is a "bit of a worry" after Liverpool's goalless draw with Manchester United.
Much is expected of the club's record signing in his second year at Anfield but the Uruguayan is yet to deliver with the regularity his price tag suggests. The Reds forked out £85million to land Nunez from Benfica but he's scored just four times in the Premier League this term and is without a goal since late October.
Nunez bagged a match winning brace at Newcastle earlier this season and many felt that he'd kick on following that. He's shown glimpses of his quality, but has been unable to consistently find the net with Hamann conceding on TalkSport that his output must be a concern.
He said: "I do like Endo, I saw a lot of him in Germany and he scored a good goal a couple of weeks ago so I thought he is adapting to the pace of the Premier League. Szoboszlai had a good start to the season but has gone a bit quiet now. Gravenberch is a capable player.
"I think they are missing Alexis Mac Allister, he is probably the best midfielder so far. But I think the big issue is the form of Nunez. Since he scored them goals away to Newcastle I thought he had come into his own now and be the striker that everyone expected him to be. I think he has scored only one or two goals and his form is a bit of a worry."
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Nunez scored 15 times in his debut season after a slow start to life on Merseyside. He was sent-off on his home debut which set him back before he began to find his feet. His finishing though has copped criticism and was again under the spotlight after a high-profile miss at Luton.
Darwin Nunez hasn't scored a league goal since OctoberKlopp has defended his player throughout his time at Anfield and believes he will fulfil his potential. Earlier this season he said: "It's really different for him. It's difficult. Nowadays you pay X, Y or Z for a player and everyone expects they come in and hit the ground running and that's obviously not that simple. Especially with a different language. So it's really nice to watch him through the week.
"He's a player full of potential, nobody doubted that but it was a rocky road a little bit. But he's here now and it's a joy. It's a joy to work with him, he loves training, working hard. He's a different striker to some others but he gives you a lot of options."