Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez has admitted that he’s been shocked at the strength of competition in the Premier League.
Nunez has struggled to properly get going since his big money summer move from Benfica. And speaking to Sky Sports today, the Uruguayan says he wasn’t quite prepared for the jump in quality from Portugal.
“It’s a very big change. Here, the league is stronger, more competitive. I didn’t expect it to be so strong. Nico Otamendi told me that, but I still didn’t expect it,” he said.
“It has impressed me a lot. There are no bad teams. They are all in this league for a reason. The football is more difficult than in Portugal and more competitive. You don’t get much time.”
Nunez struggling to adapt at Liverpool
It should be remembered that Nunez is still a young player adapting to a completely different circumstance in his playing career.
At times, maybe because of his price-tag, it gets forgotten that Darwin is only twenty-three.
For any player a hefty transfer fee can weigh heavy. For a young player, that can be even more so. Chelsea fans may have to prepare for similar with new signing Enzo Fernandez, also from Benfica.
In normal circumstances for Liverpool, they would be fine to wait. With experienced forwards like Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah around him, Nunez would be given the time to find his feet.
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Unfortunately, the season hasn’t panned out that way. Injuries to more senior players have meant that Nunez has had to be thrown in more quickly than Jurgen Klopp may have liked.
With Liverpool struggling all over the pitch, this has only highlighted Darwin’s issues even further.
It must be said that not everything can be put down to struggling to adapt, though. Nunez’s general play has actually been very good for the last few months in particular. His problem so far has simply been missing too many chances.
In that respect, finding the net in England is the same as finding the net in Portugal. Or at least it should be. The quality of goalkeeper might be improved, but that isn’t really a factor. More often than not Darwin is missing the goal altogether, rather than seeing shots saved. But as he continues to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, this should also improve. We’re all with you Darwin, keep pushing!
