Merson reacts to Darwin Nunez Liverpool exit news on Sky Sports – ‘They’ll miss him’
Darwin Nunez is facing an uncertain future at Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Uruguayan striker has started just one match for the Reds since 7 February and is understood to be unhappy with the situation.
Reports in Portugal had claimed that the Anfield outfit would have to pay Benfica another £4.2million if he was to start again this season, but that has been dismissed by the Merseysiders.
However, speculation surrounding his future continues to rumble on and it would not be a surprise to see him leave in the summer.
Merson launches Nunez defence after Liverpool exit rumours
It seems that Nunez is not going to be a fixture of Arne Slot‘s new-look side next season as the Dutchman prepares to overhaul his squad.
However, Paul Merson has defended the 25-year-old striker and believes that the Reds will miss him if he does depart in the summer, as Saudi Arabian interest refuses to go away.
Speaking on Sky Sports (26 April, 13:21pm), he said: “People have a go at Nunez, but if I’m a manager I’d be buying him this summer. He gives you something from the front.”
“There’s no way he’d be short of football clubs. When he’s not there, they’ll miss him immensely. He misses chances but he’s a team player who leads from the front.”
Liverpool exit surely on the cards for Nunez
There was plenty of excitement around Nunez when he made the £85m move to Anfield but he has not lived up to expectations.
He has had positive moments such as the brace against Brentford back in January that helped put the L4 outfit in pole position for the Premier League title.
However, his career on Merseyside will be summed up by the frustrating moments, the missed chances, such as the miss in the Champions League penalty shootout against Paris Saint-Germain that saw the Reds eliminated.
Slot does not trust him and has questioned his attitude and work rate several times this campaign, and is hesitant to hand him opportunities as a result.
It just has not clicked for Nunez and it would make sense for Liverpool to cut their losses to cash in on a player that the manager clearly does not rate.
Merson may well be right, he may be able to handle the pressure at another club and thrive, but at a club the size of the Reds, he has proved that he cannot manage the expectations.