Ian Wright supports Liverpool star to heal and perform next season. Ian Wright, a former Arsenal player, predicts that Darwin Nunez, a forward for Liverpool, will have a much stronger season in 2023–24.
For a club record £85 million, the Reds acquired Nunez from SL Benfica in the previous summer. Fans have mixed feelings about him in his first season, appreciating his movement and quickness while also criticizing his wastefulness in the final third.
Wright does think that in his second season at Liverpool, the Uruguayan will be much better at capitalizing on his opportunities.
When asked if Nunez will be better the following season, the former Arsenal striker responded as cited by HITC on BBC One’s “Match of the Day” program: “Undoubtedly, especially when you observe the opportunities he is grabbing and the opportunities he is passing up. He will liven up the following season, become more focused on his goal-scoring, and then he will complete those. I have no concern for him.
Wright opined: “Shocking numbers.”
Nunez, 23, has played 42 times for Liverpool this season in various competitions, tallying 15 goals and 4 assists. In 29 Premier League appearances with an anticipated goals (xG) figure of 12.16, nine of those goals have been scored. He has missed 20 excellent opportunities and has an 11% shot-to-goal conversion percentage.
He scored six goals for Benfica in the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League, but his statistics in that campaign are significantly better. Nunez boasted a conversion percentage of 18% in eight games this season, scoring four goals from an xG of 5.00 and missing just three significant opportunities.
Darwin Nunez is criticized by Jamie Carragher after his error against Liverpool:
Darwin Nunez was the subject of Ian Wright’s remarks following Liverpool’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Brentford on Saturday, May 6.
Nunez played 65 minutes before being replaced by Luis Diaz, who was making only his 19th league start. During that little period, he received just 18 touches while completing nine of his 11 passes and recording a critical pass.
However, after being given a great opportunity by Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Uruguayan also blew it. Reds legend Jamie Carragher, who was providing analysis for Sky Sports, then criticized this. According to Carragher (as cited by TBR Football): “That pass is incredible. You must achieve that. In his first season at Liverpool, he has missed far too many opportunities. And for that reason, he hasn’t been receiving regular starts. It occurs far too frequently.”
Nunez has now registered just one goal in his last ten Premier League games. On May 15, when his team plays Leicester City, he will look to break out of his recent slump.
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