Rafael Benitez has compared Darwin Nunez to his former No 9 Fernando Torres as he tips him to succeed at Anfield.
The Uruguayan, who has had somewhat of an erratic season, scored Liverpool‘s opener in a 2-0 victory over Newcastle, but has often been criticised for his inconsistent finishing across the season.
Nunez emphatically fired home in the first 10 minutes to set Jurgen Klopp‘s resurgent Reds on their way to making ground on the top four.
Speaking about Nunez, Benitez said on Sky Sports: ‘He is a hard worker – he’s always making the runs and doing the right things. After he finished and scored a great goal manager will be happy.’
Meanwhile, former Liverpool midfielder and fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp added: ‘I think he’s a player – when you have that devastating pace he’s such an outlet. Like Torres.’
Darwin Nunez scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season against Newcastle on Saturday
Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez compared Nunez to Fernando Torres – who he said struggled with finishing when he first arrived in England
Benitez, who managed the Reds for six years, replied: ‘My feeling is you are watching the game – as a manager you are really worried. He has the pace to do that and run in behind. For you as a manger he is someone you have to worry about then he will finish.
‘When Fernando Torres first came to Liverpool, he struggled with putting chances away – he was a great player but he wasn’t a great finisher. We worked with him and in time he became the Fernando we knew.’
Nunez’s strike at St James’ Park was just his sixth Premier League goal since moving to Anfield from Benfica in the summer for a club-record £85m fee.
The striker has had an up and down debut season in the Premier League but he is bursting with potential.
Jurgen Klopp hailed Nunez’s control for his goal as ‘exceptional’. However, the Liverpool forward is a major doubt for the Reds’ Champions League clash with Real Madrid after being forced off with a shoulder injury.
‘If it shows up that Darwin has nothing on his shoulder, it would make my day,’ Klopp added.
Benitez admitted that Torres was not good at finishing when he first arrived but they worked with him
Nunez is a doubt going into Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid after going off with a shoulder injury
