Chris Sutton thinks 24-year-old Liverpool player could be amazing in two more years

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Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez will only improve further over the coming couple of seasons.

Nunez has been a divisive figure since arriving at Liverpool in summer 2022. Although Reds fans adore his work-rate, quality and personality, the 24-year-old has often been ridiculed by the outside world.

Nevertheless, everyone can agree that Darwin is much improved this year. Speaking to The Monday Night Club last night though, pundit Chris Sutton claimed that Liverpool’s No.9 will get even better in the near future.

“With regards Nunez, just going back to him, I think he has all the attributes but he’s not a clean finisher,” said the former striker. “And sometimes some of his hold up play, although he can hold the ball in and he’s strong, is not clean enough with some of his link up play.

“But at times I think he’s the type of player who is not even sure with what he’s going to do with the ball and that can make him more dangerous.

“I just feel that he’s one of those players, given another season or two, he is such a threat, and I just think he will get better, his finishing will get cleaner, albeit his volume of goals is still very good but that’s the final piece of the jigsaw. Will he ever become a natural finisher? I know [Erling] Haaland missed chances. I don’t think so, but he’ll be working hard to get there.”

Sutton backs Darwin evolution

Ever since Nunez’s arrival at Liverpool, the same thing seems to have be said about him numerous times: ‘Yes, he misses chances but he’s raw, he is going to be something special.’

From a Reds point of view, this has perhaps often been said more in hope than expectation. It’s true that Darwin showed huge potential – even during last season – but there were also things to suggest that he simply doesn’t have what it takes.

Nevertheless, this campaign has shown those predictions to be on the money. The Uruguayan looks so much better in nearly every aspect of his game.

As Sutton points out, he doesn’t always looks clean, but that hardly matters when he’s so effective. With four goals and four Premier League assists already, Nunez is showing himself to be an all-round striker.

Sunday’s win over Brentford was the latest example of this. Jurgen Klopp praised his No.9 after the game and the manager has every right to be delighted with the strides Nunez has taken.

As time goes on, and as long as Darwin is willing to take advice from the likes of Luis Suarez, he’ll get even better.

It’s probably fair to say that the Uruguay international will never be a clean finisher, but Liverpool don’t necessarily need him to be. He’s a pain in the backside in more ways than sticking the ball in the net.

We knew we weren’t getting the finished article when Nunez was brought in. It’s so exciting to see where his development takes him, though. It’s been a rollercoaster so far, and you get the feeling things may go down as well as up at times. But Darwin will get there.