Darwin Nunez

[rurikbird]

You need to recheck the stats mate. He isn't Thiago but his stats are actually better than Haaland's and not far off players such as Lewandowski. And that in a poorish Benfica team - we can expect them to improve a little here. Also of course bearing in mind that strikers have lower completion stats just by the nature of where they are positioned for most of the game.

The stats are in here. This is a nice analysis which I think has been posted before but it's worth scrolling through again.

Stats are misleading in this case, I’ve seen enough of Darwin’s games to be quite confident in my assessment. Maybe Haaland is even worse at passing - let’s hope so! Darwin’s strengths are ball-carrying, making runs and finishing - passing is a permanent weakness I think (can be somewhat improved with training, but only up to a point) and first touch is something that was previouly a weakness, but has been improving every season.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

If we play him as a centre forward (and we haven't had one of those in a very longggg time), then it's very likely we'll be lining up a 4-2-3-1, which gives us options, and also leave opponents second-guessing our tactics.

I'd love to see the look on Pep's face when we switch from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 in the same match. Because Nunez can play comfortably as a wing-forward in a 4-3-3.

 

[rurikbird]

Another possibility is playing 2 up top; having a strike partner - particularly someone who is good at link-up play - makes it easier for Nunez to roam and create different angles of attack. I’m excited to see how he will dovetail with Firmino or Jota (whether as part of the front 3 or 2); Diaz is a bit more complicated since they both like operate in the same area - maybe Klopp will move Diaz to the right eventually after Salah leaves.

 

[ibromurph]

Another possibility is playing 2 up top; having a strike partner - particularly someone who is good at link-up play - makes it easier for Nunez to roam and create different angles of attack. I’m excited to see how he will dovetail with Firmino or Jota (whether as part of the front 3 or 2); Diaz is a bit more complicated since they both like operate in the same area - maybe Klopp will move Diaz to the right eventually after Salah leaves.

I was thinking Carvalho.

In a 4-2-3-1?

I do think it's a bit weird. I'm not sure how we're gonna play Nunez and Salah together tbh, unless Klopp re-invents one of them to become better with linking up play.

 

[Red rose]

If all goes well and Klopp does play him .. could be interesting.

 

[Tinto]

Both Mane's are still world class.

Can Nunez assist Salah like Mane did against United? Does he have the technical ability to score with his left foot like Mane did in the same game? Is he as clinical as Mane was against City (all 3 games)? Or is he a big game player who scores in big moments like Mane has?

He's 22 and has time on his side with one of the best coaches in the world, but he's still not the level of Mane is right now. So we're going to be weaker next season, unless Diaz steps up his output big time (and not just the flashy-oh-i-look-so-dangerous stuff).

Diaz getting 20 at least goals/assist is crucial for us next year.

Don’t agree that Mane in the middle is world class. Or let’s say as good as he was at his peak playing on the left.

Nunez looks like the better finisher now but Mane scores important goals in big matches, so we’ll need Nunez to produce in those moments too.

 

[Tinto]

I was thinking Carvalho.

In a 4-2-3-1?

I do think it's a bit weird. I'm not sure how we're gonna play Nunez and Salah together tbh, unless Klopp re-invents one of them to become better with linking up play.

Why do you think that about Nunez and Salah?

 

[The Nomad]

This is really superb analysis and confirms what I was saying - all the Cavani-Carroll comparisons are quite misleading; his strengths - if we compare him with current LFC forwards - are closest to Mane, with his ball-carrying ability literally almost off the chart, clever runs in behind and emphatic finishing. Lukaku comparison is interesting - obviously Chelsea don’t play to his strengths, but this is another powerful striker who shouldn’t be used as a target man or a link man - I’m sure Klopp won’t make that mistake with Nunez.

It was interesting to hear that in:

4-2-3-1 - he plays as the striker
4-4-2 - he plays as the second striker
4-3-3 - he plays the left forward role.

 

[Red rose]

Damn. I’m so impatient …it feels like ages.

 

[Red rose]

 

[jimmycase]

Why would he be in Spain, not Portugal? Weird

 

[Red rose]

Why would he be in Spain, not Portugal? Weird

Yeh I thought the same thing. I’m sure there must be a reason, and I’m missing it

edit; this was in a comment on his travel to get here - connections flight for some reason.if true

‘The Uruguayan striker is flying to Spain in the 'coming hours' where he will catch a connecting flight to Liverpool. Who knew that players costing €100million still had to have layovers and make connecting flights?
Once he lands in the UK, he will immediately head to the AXA training centre and complete his transfer to Liverpool Football Club’

 

[mom]

Are you being a wind up merchant by any chance…

Yep

 

[Woland]

Why would he be in Spain, not Portugal? Weird

They were playing in Uruguay yesterday. Direct flight to Madrid makes sense I suppose

 

[mom]

Ha! Ladies and Gentlemen - Let me introduce to you @mom - It seems we have a learned and scholarly soul frequenting these boards. I don't know about anyone else but I'lll listen to him/her given his/her's profound and clearly educated and articulate opinion....

Haha

 

[Woland]

It is weird that players from the Portuguese league seem like better bets than those from Germany now. Are those leagues swapping in terms of quality?

Dortmund got beat by Sporting. I mean they got beat by fucking Rangers. Bayern beaten by Villarreal ffs.

@rurikbird made this point a while ago with high profile examples, Werner and Herzog or whatever... and I'd like some more confirmation bias please. Haaland is gonna flop and Nunez is gonna pop

 

[dmishra]

 

[Tinto]

It is weird that players from the Portuguese league seem like better bets than those from Germany now. Are those leagues swapping in terms of quality?

Dortmund got beat by Sporting. I mean they got beat by fucking Rangers. Bayern beaten by Villarreal ffs.

@rurikbird made this point a while ago with high profile examples, Werner and Herzog or whatever... and I'd like some more confirmation bias please. Haaland is gonna flop and Nunez is gonna pop

We’ve also got a manager who loves building teams that makes the most out of the players available, whereas Guardiola wants his players to change and adapt to fit his system.

 

[Woland]

We’ve also got a manager who loves building teams that makes the most out of the players available, whereas Guardiola wants his players to change and adapt to fit his system.

Yeah if we're spending this kind of cash them we are definitely playing in a more traditional formation next year. I guess Pep wants Haaland to fit into an Aguero shaped hole, which might explain why he preferred Kane. I know we all take the piss out of Kane but he really is a very good team player who would slot into any side. I don't know enough about Haaland but he doesn't strike me as similar.

 

[bluebell]

So €100m overall (€75m +€25m add-ons).

 

[peterhague]

It is weird that players from the Portuguese league seem like better bets than those from Germany now. Are those leagues swapping in terms of quality?

Dortmund got beat by Sporting. I mean they got beat by fucking Rangers. Bayern beaten by Villarreal ffs.

@rurikbird made this point a while ago with high profile examples, Werner and Herzog or whatever... and I'd like some more confirmation bias please. Haaland is gonna flop and Nunez is gonna pop

I haven't got any data for you but for me Sancho was the final straw. I always thought he looked pretty underwhelming in those compilations they do but he scored so many goals at such a young age that I just convinced myself I must be wrong.

Well turns out he actually is a bit shit after all. Just like Keita and Werner etc.

So I'm done. I dunno what's going on. Maybe the total dominance of Bayern just really fucks everything up there or something.

 

[Red rose]

 

[The Nomad]

So €100m overall (€75m +€25m add-ons).

€75m guaranteed
€15m appearance related add ons
€10m success related add ons

 

[Judge Jules]

Even if he did score twice, he'll have seen enough of Virgil to be glad that he'll now be playing on the same side.

 

[Judge Jules]

Yeah if we're spending this kind of cash them we are definitely playing in a more traditional formation next year. I guess Pep wants Haaland to fit into an Aguero shaped hole, which might explain why he preferred Kane. I know we all take the piss out of Kane but he really is a very good team player who would slot into any side. I don't know enough about Haaland but he doesn't strike me as similar.

I've heard it said that Pep took some persuading to go along with the Haaland purchase. One would think Haaland's too good a player and they're too good a side for this not ultimately to work at least well enough, but then that's what most were thinking about Lukaku going back to the Chavs.

 

[jimmycase]

It is weird that players from the Portuguese league seem like better bets than those from Germany now. Are those leagues swapping in terms of quality?

Dortmund got beat by Sporting. I mean they got beat by fucking Rangers. Bayern beaten by Villarreal ffs.

@rurikbird made this point a while ago with high profile examples, Werner and Herzog or whatever... and I'd like some more confirmation bias please. Haaland is gonna flop and Nunez is gonna pop

I think the 'problem' with Germany is the rules regarding ownership is making it difficult for them to compete with the riches in other leagues. Imo they've got it right and its all the oil money that's the real problem.

Weird though how Werner cant hit a barn door here but scored loads there. Im guessing he mustve had a thousand chances to get the goals he did? Maybe stoned goalies? I dunno

 

[bluebell]

I think the 'problem' with Germany is the rules regarding ownership is making it difficult for them to compete with the riches in other leagues. Imo they've got it right and its all the oil money that's the real problem.

Weird though how Werner cant hit a barn door here but scored loads there. Im guessing he mustve had a thousand chances to get the goals he did? Maybe stoned goalies? I dunno

Look at immobile, how many times has he been top scorer n Serie A, but in Germany he stunk up the place. .

 

[Red Bird]

Why would he be in Spain, not Portugal? Weird

Likely that the most convenient direct flight from Uruguay is to Spain rather than Portugal.

 

[Red rose]

 

[peterhague]

I think the 'problem' with Germany is the rules regarding ownership is making it difficult for them to compete with the riches in other leagues. Imo they've got it right and its all the oil money that's the real problem.

Weird though how Werner cant hit a barn door here but scored loads there. Im guessing he mustve had a thousand chances to get the goals he did? Maybe stoned goalies? I dunno

They must be really really REALLY bad at the offside trap.