Liverpool delight as pundit suggests ’emphatic’ signing’s becoming ‘real threat’ and ‘growing in confidence’

Garth Crooks has suggested Liverpool summer signing Darwin Nunez is “looking more like a real threat” and an “emphatic finish” suggests he’s “growing in confidence”.

There has been little to be too happy about at Liverpool so far this season. They and Chelsea have been battling to be seen as the ‘big-six’ side that’s the least disappointing.

Göz Atın

Chelsea want ‘substantially more’ from Man Utd as first Mount bid is made; Red Devils ‘push’ Spurs for Kane

Liverpool put Inter in ‘trouble’ as Reds ‘kill’ competition for midfielder with £35m ‘cash offer’

‘Detached and disconnected’ Man Utd man gives clearest indication yet that he’s leaving this summer

The Reds are winning that, just, with two wins from their last two games lifting them to eighth in the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp would have hoped Nunez would have perfectly slotted into the gap left by the departing Sadio Mane in the summer. In truth, he’s not quite been the devastating attacker that Mane was.

While he’s currently Liverpool’s second-top goalscorer with 11 goals – seven behind Mohamed Salah – there have been suggestions he’s not up to the mark.

Frank McAvennie suggested like Liverpool while referring to Nunez.

Crooks has also voiced his opinion on the forward and his abilities in a somewhat negative light previously. However, his performance against Newcastle United seems to be changing the pundit’s mind.

“A few weeks ago I suggested Nunez might be suffering from stage fright especially when playing at Anfield,” Crooks told BBC Sport.

“However, the Uruguayan is looking more like a real threat these days and much more comfortable in front of goal.”

Crooks now feels that Nunez is building on his form and becoming more of a threat in the Premier League.

“His finish against Newcastle was emphatic and I now see a player growing in confidence,” he added.

“There was a moment against Newcastle when Nunez might have squared the ball to Mo Salah, and would have done six months ago, but chose to shoot and forced an excellent save from Martin Dubravka.

“These are all tell-tale signs of a striker starting to come of age.”