Michael Owen believes that Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez has the potential to reach the same level of goal-scoring as Erling Haaland or Harry Kane.
Darwin Nunez, the Liverpool striker, showcased his goal-scoring prowess during the UEFA Europa League clash against AC Sparta Praha. The match, held at Letna Stadium in Prague, saw Nunez celebrate after scoring his team’s second goal. This impressive performance has led TNT Sports pundit Michael Owen to believe that Nunez has the potential to match the goal-scoring numbers of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, provided he can improve certain aspects of his game.
Nunez’s two goals in Liverpool’s 5-1 victory over Sparta Prague took his tally for the season to 16. However, despite his goal-scoring exploits, Nunez has been inconsistent in front of the net. Owen commented on Nunez’s performance, stating, “He doesn’t quite go to script but he’s an incredible player. I’ve watched him for a while, and 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.”
Comparing Nunez to Manchester City’s Haaland and Bayern Munich’s Kane, Owen acknowledged the raw talent possessed by the Uruguayan. Haaland has scored 29 goals this season, despite facing injury setbacks, while Kane has netted 33 goals in the same number of appearances. Owen believes that with the right guidance and coaching, Nunez has the potential to achieve similar goal-scoring numbers.
Owen expressed his frustration with Nunez’s inconsistency but also recognized his value to the team. He stated, “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.”
Nunez’s clinical performance in Prague marked his 50th start for Liverpool. Since joining the club from Benfica in 2022 for a fee that could rise to 100 million euros, the 24-year-old has scored 29 goals in 80 appearances. This impressive record highlights his potential and the impact he can have on Liverpool’s success in the future.