Liverpool’s Andy Robertson has given his take on comparisons between Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland. The two strikers are in the spotlight.
Darwin Nunez once again drew attention his way on Wednesday as he scored against Ajax. The striker did find his goal but only after missing an absolute sitter before half-time. Still, that’s how he works.
It’s now four straight starts where Nunez has scored. He’s got six in total this season and he’s averaging a goal or assist roughly every 90 minutes. The 23-year-old is giving everyone at Liverpool something to shout about.
And yet, you don’t get that impression from talk outside Liverpool. Pundits continue to talk about Nunez ‘coming good’ and saying fans must be patient. It’s quite bizarre, given he’s delivering in every game right now.
But we all know the reason for it – Erling Haaland. The Norwegian is a remarkably similar player to Nunez as a towering, athletic, goal-poacher. His record for Manchester City is utterly ridiculous since joining in the summer, though, and it feels as though Nunez is constantly being compared on that level.
You don’t have 17 goals by November? Only six in 13 appearances? Give him time.
Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland comparisons
Andy Robertson gave his own take on the comparisons after the Ajax game. He says they’re unfair – and that Liverpool are nothing but delighted with their signing.
“The only reason [Nunez and Haaland] are getting compared is because they play in the same position and moved in the same window,” said Robertson, per the Liverpool Echo. “It is not fair on anyone. If it were vice-versa, it would not be fair on Haaland either.
“So look, they are two incredible players and we are delighted to have Darwin here. He is still young which everyone forgets and in front of goal he has been really clinical.
“He has maybe not played as many minutes with the three-game ban, a couple of injuries and he is still adapting but he is getting there.”
Nunez doesn’t need to match Haaland to be a success, essentially. As long as he’s contributing to results – and he’s undoubtedly doing that – then all is good with Liverpool.
Hopefully, the spotlight on him doesn’t shine quite so brightly going forward, then. As Robertson says, Nunez is still young and already shows an ability to score goals. That should be enough for people to go easier on him. Even just for a bit.
No, he won’t hit Haaland levels but the Norwegian is an anomaly, not a benchmark. We’re nothing but thrilled with Nunez – as chaotic as he is.
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