Benitez compares Nunez to Liverpool legend after scoring against Newcastle
Rafa Benitez has compared Darwin Nunez to Fernando Torres after the Uruguayan scored against Newcastle on Saturday night.
Nunez, 23, found the net to help Liverpool complete a 2-0 win at St James' Park. The result could prove crucial come the end of the season, as it leaves Liverpool eighth in the Premier League table - six points behind Newcastle in fourth with a game in hand,
Nunez has faced criticism since his £85million move from Benfica last summer due to the team's poor form and his modest record - scoring 11 goals this season. Yet Benitez, who coached Liverpool between 2004 and 2010, is a fan of Jurgen Klopp's expensive striker.
"I will tell you my feeling," Benitez told Sky Sports. "You are watching the game and saying great runs, not that great finisher, don’t be worried. As a manager you are really worried because you can see him in front of the ‘keeper all of the time, and he can do that.
"He has the pace to run in behind, and he is a threat. After he will score more or less goals, but he is a threat, so for you as a manager it is someone you have to worry about and talk with your defenders about that. He is a threat."
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Benitez believes Nunez is similar to ex-Liverpool striker Torres, who arrived on Merseyside in July 2007. Torres was prolific during his three-and-a-half seasons at Liverpool, scoring 81 goals in 142 games before a controversial move to Chelsea in January 2011.
Darwin Nunez scored against Newcastle on Saturday night (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Do you think Darwin Nunez will be a success at Liverpool? Let us know in the comments below!
Benitez added: "Fernando, one of the issues at the beginning was that - he was not a great finisher.
"Little by little, because he was in front of the ‘keeper so many times, he could have more time and more composure, I would put the ball here or there but at the beginning he was great as a player, but here in England because the defenders are wider and stronger, in the space he was killing them and having more chances."
Klopp was forced to substitute Nunez in the 59th minute of Saturday's game due to a shoulder injury. It is unclear whether the former Benfica man will be fit for Tuesday's last-16 Champions League clash against Real Madrid. The first leg takes place at Anfield.
Klopp told reporters at full-time: "Darwin has something on his shoulder, we will see... in the end he had to go off with a shoulder issue. We need further assessments. I don’t know in the moment. In the moment it’s painful. Hopefully, it’s just painful and not more."
The Champions League is Liverpool's last realistic chance of winning a major trophy this season after they were dumped out of both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The Reds did win the Community Shield last July - beating Manchester City 3-1 at the King Power.
Winning the Champions League could also be Liverpool's best opportunity of qualifying for next season's tournament considering their disappointing Premier League campaign. Real have won their last two games - including Saturday's 2-0 triumph at Osasuna.
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