Liverpool man backed to become “one of the world’s top players” – “Still has a lot to deliver and learn”

Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez will become “one of the world’s top players” once he has adapted to life in England.

That’s according to former Liverpool forward Mark González, who has backed the Uruguayan to become a star at Anfield in his second season.

Núñez arrived at Liverpool in an €80m deal from Benfica in the summer after scoring 48 goals and registering 16 assists in 85 games for the Portuguese side.

He was supposed to be a direct competitor to Erling Haaland in the goalscoring charts and the main, prolific striker that Jurgen Klopp’s side have long needed.

There have been glimpses of that happening, with Núñez bagging 14 goals and four assists in 36 games so far amid a disappointing campaign for the Reds.

However, he has been far from the level that many expected him to be at, particularly with Haaland breaking records left, right and centre at the Etihad.

González isn’t giving up hope on Núñez being the star that many expected, though, leaning on his own experience at Anfield as an example of why patience may be required.

“It’s not easy to get to the English league, I was there for one season and it’s a thorn in my side because I always said I should have stayed there for another year and I’m sure I would have exploded there,” ESPN report him saying.

“It’s the same for him, it’s a question of adaptation. Today he’s already showing it, he’s adapting. He’s a tremendous player, I think he’s going to be one of the world’s top players.

“He has a lot of potential and he’s clearly a key player for the national team and Liverpool. He’s 23 years old, he still has a lot to deliver and learn. With what he’s giving now, imagine what he’ll do at 28 or 30.”