By Dan Clubbe
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez continues to divide opinion across the footballing landscape and whilst the Anfield favourite adores their chaotic Uruguayan number nine, there remain moments of frustration with the former Benfica man.
Signed for an initial £64million from the Primeira Liga club (BBC), Nunez hit the ground running as a Red when scoring in the Community Shield success for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
However, that bright start for the side and indeed the enigmatic frontman proved to be somewhat of a red herring as both stuttered their way through the remainder of the campaign.
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Still a mainstay in Klopp’s plans, Nunez made himself the hero at St James’ Park earlier this season and so far has four goals and two assists so show for his nine outings this term.
Emile Heskey was speaking to Redmen TV via BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League betting & odds about the South American striker and just how important a role confidence plays in getting the best out of him.
Emile said: “I think confidence is huge for any player really. If you look at anyone who is performing outstanding and ask them why – they’re confident in their ability, they don’t second guess anything, they know exactly what they’re going to do, they’ve got a vision in their mind before the ball even gets there. When you’re confidence is a little bit low you second guess it, you question whether you should make that run, whether your touch is going to be right.
“Darwin is fantastic, it’s taking a little bit of time to settle in but I love his enthusiasm, I love the way he runs around, I love the way he works. That will give you confidence because when you do that in front of the Liverpool crowd they’ll get behind you 110%.
“He loves runs in behind and it’s difficult because teams drop off so there’s no space in behind but that’s when you have to work on your hold-up and build up play which he’ll get better at.”
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Whilst the numbers so far this season are impressive, there are still one too many big misses in Nunez’s game and albeit they are yet to hurt The Reds, a more clinical, cool calm and collected striker puts teams to the sword regardless of circumstances.
Emile’s points on improving his all-round game have already been a feature of his performances this term and should they continue it’s likely we see a highly dangerous attacker become even more of a weapon under Klopp.