Jermaine Pennant has been talking Darwin Nunez and the Premier League star he would replace the striker with at Liverpool
GIRONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 10: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Girona FC and Liverpool FC at Montilivi Stadium on December 10, 2024 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between Girona and Liverpool(Image: Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
In a tough campaign for Darwin Nunez, it was a timely reminder of his talents. And while it was not the goal he craved, it was still a vital contribution.
With Liverpool down to 10 men and heading for only their second defeat of the season, Nunez capped a lively showing off the substitutes' bench by providing the pass for Diogo Jota's 86th-minute equaliser in the 2-2 home draw with Fulham.
It was the Uruguayan's 20th assist in 116 appearances for the Reds, during which time he has hit the back of the net on 36 occasions himself. While a goal every nearly every three games is decent enough, it would be fair enough to suggest more was expected of the club-record £85m arrival from Benfica.
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Nunez showed plenty of promise in his opening two campaigns at Anfield and he remains a fan favourite but frustrations surrounding his finishing have began to air this season with the striker currently six matches without a goal and with just three to his name from 20 appearances.
So much so that Liverpool head coach Arne Slot last week launched a fascinating defence of his misfiring forward.
Nunez responded in the right manner at the weekend and with Jota not fit enough to start against Southampton in Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final at St Mary's, he could get another chance to impress.
But for Jermaine Pennant, the former Reds winger who was their man of the match in the 2007 Champions League final defeat to AC Milan in Athens, he believes it's time his old club cut their losses on Nunez.
Pennant said: “He cost so much money and is up there with one of Liverpool's highest-paid players. He’s just not giving Liverpool what they paid for - yes, he works his socks off and the fans love him, bringing something different to the team, but ultimately you want goals.
“Especially for that price tag, you expect returns to justify that fee. I think after this season - which is his third - we’re not going to see any improvement in the fourth or fifth. This is it now, this is the final product of Darwin Nunez. No disrespect to him, but he’s not on the level as a player that Liverpool are as a team.
“Liverpool has had some great No.9s in the past, and Nunez falls short of them. I think it’d be wise to offload him somewhere in Europe and invest the money they get for him elsewhere.
“There was all that chat when he joined being compared to Erling Haaland when he went to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund, but he just hasn’t got up to speed in the Premier League like Haaland has.”
And if Pennant had his way, he would replace Nunez with a player who has scored three goals in five games against the Reds since his arrival at Newcastle United.
“I think Liverpool should be looking at signing Alexander Isak in January,” said Pennant. “He scores every time he plays against Liverpool since he’s joined! Not only that, but he’s also a proven goalscorer and is a real handful for defenders.
“His movement is great, he’s quick and can bring in other players as well. He has all the attributes of fantastic No.9.
“That goal against Liverpool recently was all his creation, it was him getting the ball out of his feet and striking it into the back of the net and it’s not the first time we’ve seen that.”
While Nunez has struggled in front of goal this season, the Reds are not exactly struggling as a team on that front, with 52 from 23 matches in all competitions so far this season.
But with injuries and suspensions beginning to bite, Slot's side have shown signs of vulnerability at the back in recent weeks and Pennant believes they should raid another Premier League club for a centre-back.
“Liverpool do need some back-up options in defence because although Joe Gomez has been fantastic in that centre-back role when filling in, Liverpool will need more options in the middle if Gomez has to take over on the left or right,” he told Casino Apps.
“Sadly, Jarell Quansah doesn’t look to be the same player he was last season, he always looks nervous on the ball now and makes a few mistakes that he didn’t use to make.
“It’s too soon for him to be the backup in a team who is chasing a Premier League title and are in the driving seat for the Champions League.
“Liverpool need someone who can handle the Premier League and the names that comes to mind are Murillo at Nottingham Forest and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
“I think they’re both players that are composed and look comfortable on the ball against the big teams. There are some young defenders out there who they can get, but those two would be some nice additions.”