“His finishing is a C at the moment.”
Joe Cole has made an interesting comparison when describing Darwin Nunez’ career at Liverpool so far, but Chelsea fans might not agree with their former player.
Nunez was on the scoresheet when Liverpool hammered Toulouse in the Europa League 5-1, and the Uruguayan striker has been in fine form this season, after a disappointing first campaign in England.
However, even when he’s playing well, scoring goals, and getting assists, he just seems to be incapable of going more than a couple of games without missing a sitter.
Just before he was substituted in the match, he showed off nearly every one of his great qualities as he used his blistering pace to get on the end of a through ball, used quick feet to bet the last man, and then a bit of guile to take it past the goalkeeper.
All of the hard was done, and the goal was completely free in front off him to tap in, but as he attempted to execute the finish, it clashed off the post.
Luckily for the Reds Ryan Gravenberch was there to score from the rebound, but it was yet another ‘meme moment’ for the Liverpool star.
Speaking after the game Cole assessed the flying forwards and compared him to a former Chelsea teammate of his.
“I think it does [sum him up as a player] but I think that can be harsh on him because he’s got so much to his game,” Cole told TNT Sports.
“He gets an A* in every part of his game, and his performance tonight was also fantastic but his finishing is a C at the moment – but that’s something he can work on.
“It’s something that often comes later on in strikers, something that they work on later like Didier Drogba.
“When he arrived at Chelsea, he wasn’t as polished as when he became the legend he was so the Liverpool fans will be hoping Darwin Nunez can turn into that kind of striker, one who seizes those opportunities and gets better with age.”
Chelsea fans might not agree with Cole, as they obviously regard Drogba as one of the best strikers their club has ever had, but only time will tell if the penny finally drops for Nunez and he becomes every bit as lethal as people think he can be.
Related links:
- Fans fume as Darwin Núñez is awarded Man of the Match in Aston Villa win
- Craig Bellamy was warned not to go to Liverpool by ex Man United star and he was proved right
- James Maddison trolls Trent Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool VAR shambles
