Michael Owen says Darwin Nunez’s attributes are “off the scale” as he launched a staunch defence of the Liverpool forward following his miss in the 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Uruguayan had the ball in the back of the net, which was ruled out for offside, before squandering a golden opportunity from six yards out after a free-flowing attack involving Harvey Elliott and Mohamed Salah.
Nunez has shown quality in his Liverpool career, especially this season, but the 24-year-old still has some way to go before being the finished product following his potential club-record move from Benfica last summer.
The attacker’s sitter didn’t prove costly for Liverpool as Ryan Gravenberch pounced upon a mistake from Anthony Moris in the Union goal at the end of the first half. Diogo Jota then rubber-stamped the victory with an expert finish in the dying embers.
Owen highlighted the finishing prowess of Nunez but claimed that with more work on the training field, the frustrating aspects of his game will be eradicated.
“It’s a brilliant move and it’s Liverpool at their very best – it looks so simple,” said the former Reds hero to TNT Sports. “He’s (Nunez) one of those players, I have watched him closely since he’s been at the club. He’s a great volleyer of the ball, he does certain things when you say ‘wow, you can’t teach that’.
“But then he does some basic things and I am always hesitant because I argue with people all the time in the local pub and things like that when they say he’s not that good.
“But then he does some basic things and I am always hesitant because I argue with people all the time in the local pub and things like that when they say he’s not that good.
“I say, ‘he has got attributes that are off the scale’, so with a bit of coaching, simple things like that… Anyway, it’s frustrating.”