Liverpool eased past Sparta Prague 5-1 away from home in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 tie on Thursday evening.
Darwin Nunez scored two goals for the Merseyside club. The 24-year-old Uruguay international striker found the back of the net first in the 25th minute and then in first-half injury time.
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has noted that although Nunez was on fire against Sparta, he believes that there are still gaps in the striker’s game that are stopping him from fully reaching his potential.
The TNT Sports pundit believes that Nunez has the potential to be as good as Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Bayern Munich star Harry Kane.
Michael Owen comments on Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez
Owen told TNT Sports about Nunez: “Nothing’s changed. He’s always been a player that does the sublime and the ridiculous. He doesn’t quite go to script but he’s an incredible player.
“I’ve watched him for a while, as soon as he came I thought this player has got attributes that you can’t teach but he’s also got gaps in his game that you would think you would learn by the time you are 12 or 14.”
The TNT Sports pundit added: “I think it’s a massive challenge for the coaching staff at Liverpool, that will obviously change in the summer, because I think you can coach a lot into him and make him an even better player.
“You’d have egg on your face if you try to predict anything with him. He could be anything. He could be a Haaland or a Kane in terms of the numbers if he gets his game in the right order.
“At the moment he’s still a frustration at certain times but you can’t be without him. He does so many good things that you have to keep playing him and take the rough with the smooth.”
My View: Darwin Nunez could get better
In my opinion, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez could get better in the coming years. I believe that the striker could develop even further.
Yes, Nunez is erratic at times. He does miss chances and does not always strike the ball clearly.
But, let us not forget that Nunez is only 24. Mohamed Salah was not always a goal machine that he is now. The Egyptian developed into a world-class player at Liverpool.
So, why can’t Nunez? I am not saying that the striker will become the new Salah for Liverpool, but he has potential.
What is also very remarkable about the former Benfica striker is that he never gets down after missing chances and always takes important positions on the pitch and is at the end of chances.
Nunez has scored 16 goals and given 11 assists in 39 matches in all competitions for Liverpool so far this season.