22 May 2023 09:25:45
To throw something out for debate that I haven't really understand is Isak has been getting a lot of praise by pundits and fans across the country. I think he has had a decent season no doubt but he has 11 goals and 2 assists in 1656 minutes of football.

Nunez has 15 goals 4 assists in 2365 mins.

I think it's fair to compare these players in the sense young enough players came for similar price first season in England and have mixed time of up front and on the left.

I just fail to understand why people seem to be a lot more sure that Isak will kick on while Nunez won't. Personally I amnt sure either will be amazing I think both will be good premier league players but the difference in perception over the last couple of weeks has been baffling to me.

1.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 11:29:35
I think it’s safe to say nunez has absolute raw quality but he has to relax I feel he’s too emotional when playing and it hampers him.

2.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 11:32:49
I'm a big fan of Nunez and not prepared to give up on him, but I think the answer to that question is fairly obvious.

Isak has showed more promise, he's a much more technically gifted and complete all round footballer. He has a better touch, better awareness and is a generally neater footballer.

3.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 11:28:00
Is the glass half empty or half full?

4.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 11:38:21
Despite us claiming to be the best fans in the world most other clubs fans dislike Liverpool so anything Liverpool will always be judged harsher.

In regards to Isak I’ve only seen him play against us so can’t really judge him against Nunez.

Nunez is rough around the edges but every diamond can be polished.

5.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 11:51:37
OP, watched Isak at La Real Sociedad a few times (vs RM and Barca, to be sure) before he came to the PL an IMO, Isak is more experienced than Darwin is at this level hence, he is just further ahead in his development than Darwin. IMO, Isak has had time to hone his talent cos he is very good esp. technically, had good pace, can finish and can assist and can play out wide. For me, Darwin has every thing you need a CF to have to be great in terms raw talent. He just needs to put it all together, relax and allow the game to come to him, as DHfc said. Just my take.

6.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 13:05:51
My biggest worry about nunez is how many injuries he gets, can't seem to string 6/ 7 games in a row together. Like him as a player tho.

7.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 13:17:21
Is it just me or is there an elephant appears in the room every time Nunez is mentioned? There are a lot of posts that say something along the lines of ‘I’m a fan of Nunez but …. ’. Not saying it will necessarily happen but a couple of poor games at the start of next season could see him emerge as the next owner of the ‘waste of money’ role. Don’t forget with Naby leaving we are going to want a new whipping boy.

I’d say that Isak has shown up to greater effect this season although Darwin was playing in a side that didn’t live up to anywhere near expectations for at least the first two thirds of the season.

{Ed001's Note - I remember in the early part of the season Jesus was being lauded for his goals while Nunez crucified for not scoring enough. Yet Nunez had actually outscored Jesus! It is media bull. Nunez is a raw talent in his first season in a tough league, he just needs time to bed in.}

8.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 13:38:23
WDW, I am afraid that will happen, as well. I mean, just look at the way certain fans turned on him when Klopp simply mentioned that Darwin need to work on his game without the ball, do better reading the game and improving his English language skills so he can understand what he is being told. That should not be to anyone who has been paying attention and has been watching him closely YET they turned on him. Something I found really sad an pathetic which just shows you how reactionary and OTT footie fans today can be.


@Ed01 funny you mentioned this cos a lot of the Arsenal fans who were bigging up Jesus for being a better player than Darwin and Bobbie (who also outscored Jesus) are now realising how poor a goalscorer he is which I find bizarre. It seems in their bid to big him up, they did not do their research cos had they, they would have known that Jesus was a poor goalscorer at City who was back up to Aguero for over 3 years for a reason whereas he was supposed to be the ONE Pep wanted to oust him.

9.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 13:48:46
I prefer him through the middle but Gakpo seems to be first choice there. Diaz is first choice on the left. Seems he has a big fight on his hands.

10.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 14:01:21
And Jesus has been in the PL for awhile and was playing in a high flying Arsenal while Nunez was in his first season and in a crap performing Liverpool team.

11.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 14:07:23
I actually think Nunez scoring is not as much issue as him losing the ball quite a lot. His pressing also needs some work.

He does some brilliant things but it's just all very inconsistent at the moment. There are games where he never gives up the ball and you think he is putting it together and then he gives it up quite cheaply again next game. Just inconsistent.

I was begging for us to sign this player at the start of the season and I would say it was an ok first season but he is a little more raw than I expected.

On the plus side, I knew he was quick before he signed but I must admit he is quicker than even I thought. The man is lightning fast.

I think there is a world beater in there but he must make the necessary steps to get there. Right now, he is just full of potential. Hopefully he s second season thing works out. He has mentioned it himself so clearly he also believes he puts it together second season. That's a good thing as it means he should have some confidence going into next season. I'm excited to see how he develops.

12.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 14:25:08
The media just create stories for clicks and reactions, that's why the majority of it is nonsence. It just wants a reaction and then the journalists get paid based on the reaction rather than the quality of their insight. Hence the rapid slide in product.

As for Nunez ed001, would you say he is best through the middle? Or out left? I have no doubts he has what it takes, but Gakpo seems a better fit through the middle and Salah and Diaz have the wide slots locked imo. I know its horses for courses but when you spend that sort of money you want him playing more often then not.

Do you think we could have nunez up top with Gakpo behind? Salah and Diaz out wide then two in the middle, with Gakpo dropping in when we don't have the ball? Or is that overkill and a disaster waiting to happen?

{Ed001's Note - I think we can play that way in some games but not in others. I think he is better in the middle but having the option of him coming in from wide is very useful.}

13.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 14:32:38
PickleRick part of the information you passed on the other day now appears to be true. New sporting director is apparently coming in for only 3 months. If even one of the other two pieces of information come true then we are in for a good summer. Whether that’s Bellingham apparently set to cancel talks with Madrid. Although I believe that ship has long sailed and he is off to Madrid. But stranger things in football have happened. And the other piece of information you dropped in that we could be set for new owners.

14.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 14:41:50
Fully agree, Davey. Im not quitting on this kid anytime soon.

15.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 15:45:10
Problem with Nunez vs others mentioned is that they actually know how to play football. Yes Nunez may have a better output but his overall play is just so poor that it makes him an easy target. The only way he fits in our team is to tell him to stay on the last man and look for the ball over the top - even then he will probs miss 50% of the chances he gets due to his lack of composure.

16.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 15:57:04
WDW, the 'but' for me isn't Nunez himself, it's the way he's been used. If we'd played to his strengths as City have with Haaland we wouldn't be having this conversation. Why sign a player and then try to shoehorn him into a system that doesn't work? We need to adapt to players and be more open to change rather than the other way round.

Through the first half of the season, Darwin was a nightmare to defend against. Nobody could contain him and he was getting 4/ 5 clear chances a game but wasn't finishing very well. This was down to confidence rather than skill, his finishing at Benfica was elite.

By February time, he seemed to have put this right. He was taking his chances on the whole, and looked way more composed. So what did we do? Shoved him out wide where he couldn't impact he game and he stopped getting the chances he was previously. I'm baffled to be honest, if he'd continued in the same position with his improved finishing we'd be ending the season with a confident Nunez on 25+ goals ready to go and kick on for next year.

17.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 16:30:06
I fully believe that Nunez is going to bang 20+ league goals next year. His ability to get in behind the defence is first class and he will get more and more goals the more he gets used to the league and our style. I’m sticking my neck out and saying Iv seen enough to predict he’s going to be a beast.

18.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 16:57:20
None of our forwards, bar Gakpo, are cohesive in this tactical setup. We seem intent of hitting forwards with hopeful long balls as early as possible instead, many of which end up as hospital passes.

In the rare times we do break into the inside channels the forward makes the wrong decision and/ or the teammate is providing the wrong passing option. Rinse and repeat.

I really hope we spend some time on coaching the forwards to play with each other this summer. This has to improve otherwise we're wasting all this forward talent we have invested so heavily in.

19.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 22:24:50
I think the new system is designed for Darwin through the middle and Salah and Diaz staying wide. With the marauding fullbacks we couldn’t play Darwin through the middle as the wide forwards couldn’t go inside because Darwin was occupying that space instead of dropping off like Bobby does so that meant there was no space for the fullbacks to get forward.
We became very easy to defend against and lost the ball when the fullbacks had to either play it to the wide forward with his back to goal or come inside to a crowded midfield.
With the new system it allows the wide forwards to stay wide and the 2 more attacking midfield players to get into the box always knowing we have 2 DMs and 3 defenders to block the counter.
We will also see more longer balls up the middle with the midfielders feeding off knockdowns from Darwin.
I think that’s how this season was supposed to be but Jota and Diaz being out so long completely ruined the left side of the attack.
I fully expect Gakpo to be converted into one of the midfielders (a la Wijnaldum) and he’s already been played there a few times.
The system has been working so imagine what will happen with a full preseason and bringing in some players more suited to the system.
Good times ahead I feel.