Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is best used as an impact substitute for the time being.
Nunez has had a terrific start to the season, bagging four goals and providing two assists in eight games across all competitions.
But according to former Reds attacker Emile Heskey, the Uruguayan does not yet make up part of Liverpool’s strongest forward line. Speaking to altindex.com, Heskey outlined who Jurgen Klopp should be playing up front.
“In terms of Liverpool’s front three, I think Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo are the best combination for Jurgen Klopp to use,” said the 45-year-old.
“Darwin Nunez works best at the moment coming off the bench and making an impact to unsettle teams a little later on. I really like that combination.”
Heskey backs Nunez omission
There are plenty of Liverpool fans out there who would disagree with Heskey’s take.
Although Nunez’s qualities as an impact sub are obvious, it also must be said that the 24-year-old tends to have the same effect when starting games, too.
His pace, size and tenacity never change. Whether he’s on the pitch from the very first minute or entering it in the very last, Nunez hassles, harries and gives everything.
Obviously, with oppositions legs getting weary, it’s incredibly useful to have someone like that to chuck on late on in games. But we shouldn’t pigeon-hole the former Benfica man as being that alone.
The flip-side of this is of course what the trio Heskey mentions can offer. Not individually, but as a collective unit.
Arguably, the Diaz, Gakpo, Salah unit does look a little more cohesive than a Diaz, Nunez, Salah one.
Gakpo can be the man to tie things together in the Bobby Firmino role, while Salah and Diaz do their business out wide and cutting in. But with the Dutchman now injured anyway, Nunez is going to get the chance to stake his claim to the likes of Heskey.
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