MY ACCOUNT
Darwin Nunez is confident he can follow in Luis Suarez’s footsteps at Liverpool and explode in his second season.
The Uruguay forward has struggled to find consistency since arriving at Anfield from Benfica in June, scoring in his opening two appearances but only managing eight goals in 23 since.
Nunez’s struggles in front of goal have come alongside Liverpool’s own issues, with Jurgen Klopp’s side languishing in ninth spot in the Premier League and out of both the EFL Cup and FA Cup.
Though he recognises the problems he has encountered in the first half of his debut season in English football, Nunez identified Suarez’s own slow start on Merseyside and feels he can bounce back in similar style.
Former Ajax striker Suarez scored just 15 goals in 44 Premier League games in his first season-and-a-half at Liverpool, before hitting 54 in his next 66 prior to leaving for Barcelona in 2014.
“Obviously, I still have many things to work on, for example my finishing. But I think the same thing is happening to me as happened to Suarez. In his second year, he tore it up,” Nunez told Sky Sports.
“Something similar happened to me already at Benfica. The first year went very badly for me and in the second, I exploded.
“Here, I think the same thing is happening. I hope next season will be like that. I’ll put my best forward and hopefully I’ll get a bit of luck.”
In order to emulate Suarez, Nunez has regularly spoken to the man himself for advice and values the discussions with his compatriot.
“Of course, it’s always helpful to speak with Suarez. For me, he is an idol. He is a great example. In the national team, I now have a much better relationship with him,” he added.
“We are always talking and he is always giving me advice. I always try to keep in touch with him.
“I ask him a lot of things because he was at this club and he has a lot more experience than me. He is an important player to give me advice and explain things to me.”
