Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez has been the worst player at this year’s World Cup so far.
That’s the view of TalkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, anyway. Speaking to the radio station before Uruguay played Ghana last night, the pundit was asked to name the worst performer in Qatar.
“Nunez has been poor, he’s looked like [former Liverpool striker] Milan Baros,” answered Agbonlahor.
Although that isn’t quite the insult the ex-England man perhaps thinks it is, there’s no question that Nunez has been disappointing. He failed to find the net once more last night, as Uruguay exited the competition at the first hurdle.
Nunez heads back to base earlier than expected
Relatively big things were expected of Uruguay going into this winter’s tournament. Boasting players like Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur, as well as Nunez, they had the look of a dark horse.
Unfortunately though, the South Americans simply failed to get going. Their only goals of the tournament came during last night’s 2-0 win over Ghana. Heading out behind South Korea on goal difference, that’s ultimately what cost them.
In that respect, Nunez should certainly shoulder a little of the blame. The 23-year-old started all three games for his country, with veterans Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani rotated alongside him.
As ever, it wasn’t for a lack of effort from Nunez. He looked desperate to get himself a World Cup goal. Perhaps, in the end, he was just forcing things a little too much.
For Liverpool, that isn’t necessarily bad news. Nunez will now presumably take a short break before meeting up with his teammates in Dubai.
As a new player still settling in, this time on the training pitch will be vital to him for the rest of the season.
In fact, maybe Nunez could do with this training camp more than any other player in the Liverpool squad.
There’s always the danger that disappointment will linger in certain players. But Darwin always has the look of someone not used to dwelling on past failures. Expect him to saddle back up an continue causing chaos for the Reds in the New Year.
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