Nunez was handed a start for Liverpool against Newcastle on Wednesday night
The forward has scored three goals across 17 appearances so far this season
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By MICHAEL PAVITT
Published: 15:54 EST, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 15:54 EST, 4 December 2024
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has offered his verdict on Darwin Nunez's long-term prospects at the club under Arne Slot.
Nunez was handed a start against Newcastle at the St James' Park on Wednesday night, his sixth time in the starting line-up in 13 Premier League games.
The Uruguayan forward has, however, scored just three goals across 17 appearances this season.
Former Man United defender Gary Neville raised the question over Nunez's performances on the Stick to Football watchalong, brought to you by Sky Bet.
Neville highlighted Nunez having signed for the Reds in a club record £85million deal back in the summer of 2022.
'I never know what is going to happen with Nunez when he goes through,' former Arsenal forward Ian Wright responded.
Darwin Nunez was handed a start by Liverpool boss Arne Slot against Newcastle
Gary Neville questioned Jamie Carragher over how the Liverpool forward is currently viewed
'We said we don’t know what he is going to do so how will the defenders, nobody ever says that about as a good player do they,' Carragher added.
'He cost £63m with add ons and there is no way he has got the add ons.'
Wright responded: I don’t care it’s still 85, I would’ve thought for that price we would have seen a lot more from him by now. It is not going to be any different to what he is now.
'I’m not sure he will be here next season, I think Liverpool will move him on,' Carragher added.
Neville questioned Carragher on Liverpool fans continued support for Nunez, despite his inconsistency.
The former Liverpool defender suggested Nunez was viewed as a 'cult hero' by Reds supporters, noting the 25-year-old's hard work for the team.
This prompted Neville to question whether Nunez is better than another Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi.
The Belgian forward scored 41 goals in 175 appearances for the club, but became famed for crucial strikes for the club.
Carragher suggested Liverpool may look to move Nunez on from the club next summer
The former Liverpool defender suggested Nunez is better than another cult hero, Divock Origi
Origi memorably scored in Liverpool's famous Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona.
The Belgian then scored the clinching goal in the final win over Tottenham in 2019, before eventually leaving the club for AC Milan.
'He is better than [Divock] Origi,' Carragher responded.
'I would fancy Origi to score more than him,' Wright replied, with Neville adding 'So would I.'
Nunez had gone close to putting Liverpool ahead against Newcastle, after Curtis Jones had cancelled Alexander Isak's opener.
The forward agonisingly failed to reach Cody Gakpo's header across goal with the an empty net gaping.
'How has he missed that?' Wright added, with Neville quipping '£95m he is'.
'That’s the league there,' Carragher joked, before adding 'I can’t believe that. Gakpo is actually trying to set it.'