Garth Crooks has admitted he was shocked by how efficient Darwin Nunez was for Liverpool in their 2-1 win against Newcastle United.
Writing for BBC Sport, the pundit applauded the 24-year-old attacker’s display as Nunez dragged Liverpool to an unlikely result against the Magpies having gone 1-0 down and had a man sent off.
The Uruguay international came off the bench and finished two golden chances to give Liverpool the three points at St. James Park, saving the Reds from almost-certain defeat.
And Crooks has admitted that Nunez’s performance caught him by surprise, with the Liverpool attacker yet to fully win over critics since joining the club last year.
Crooks said: “I have doubted this lad for some time but it seemed the perilous situation Liverpool found themselves in galvanised everyone associated with the club.
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“Once Nunez equalised, he seemed like a man possessed and desperate to wreck Newcastle’s day. He’s ruined their entire week with his match-winning display.”
Nunez can build a platform to thrive after Newcastle heroics
Having impressed in pre-season, it has been strange to see how little Nunez has featured for Liverpool since the Premier League returned earlier this month.
However, the former Benfica man took his chance with both hands this weekend against Newcastle, with Nunez providing arguably his best performance yet in a Liverpool shirt.
And as a result, Nunez has the ultimate platform to build from now, with the striker now a shoo-in for Liverpool’s next Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.