Mohamed Salah defends Darwin Nunez in entrance of followers as he compares him to Liverpool legend – and divulges what he likes about taking part in with the struggling striker

Mohamed Salah shielded Darwin Nunez from fan criticism in a live Q&A session – and compared him to a Liverpool great.

It has been a difficult season for Nunez who, despite his rampaging presence, has only managed three goals in 18 games. 

Jamie Carragher predicted earlier in December that Liverpool would sell Nunez at the end of the season and believed him to be an inferior supporting act to Divock Origi. 

But Salah rebuffed criticism of his team-mate in front of supporters and claimed he is enjoyable to play with, just as Roberto Firmino was. 

The Brazilian went through slumps during his time at Anfield but his all-round utility as a false nine made him a valuable member of the team and he stuck around for eight seasons. He and Salah played together 245 times, combining for 36 goals. 

‘Who do I most like to play with? It was Firmino. Now I feel like I generally like playing with Nunez,’ Salah told the fan Q&A. 

Mohamed Salah has staunchly defended Darwin Nunez in front of doubtful Liverpool fans 

He insists that he enjoys playing with Nunez despite the striker’s struggles this season 

Salah drew a comparison with Roberto Firmino, with whom he also had a good bond on the pitch

‘A lot of people don’t like him but I like playing with him. I see Bahaa (the man who asked the question) keeps shaking his head not liking [Nunez]. 

‘Nah (laughing), I like playing with him in general. [Nunez is] a player with different skills. Not a lot of people understand his ball.’

Salah and Nunez have, in glimpses, had an electric partnership. Around this time last season, they were the Premier League’s best partnership in terms of assists and chances created.

By early December 2023, they were assisting each other at such a rate that had they continued, they would have set a Premier League record. 

In total they have played together 96 times and created 16 goals for each other.

Having a self-sacrificial creator is important to Salah and often gets the best out of him if they can create space for him to cut inside, or feed him with one-twos. 

After Firmino left, Salah was glowing in his praise: ‘He just plays for the team. He doesn’t really care about scoring that much, he just wants to enjoy his game and just play football and wants the team to win.’ Firmino won seven trophies with the Reds.

Nunez has only managed two assists alongside his three goals this campaign and has often been made to settle for a place on the bench. 

Nunez has scored three goals in 18 outings this campaign, again coming under the microscope

Salah defended his team-mate in a Q&A session with supporters as one shook their head

Over the summer, John Barnes told Mail Sport that Nunez’s wider contributions to the team were valuable – even if they’d like him to get on the scoresheet a bit more. 

‘With what he has, as well as chipping in with the goals, as well as his attitude, work rate, commitment, he’s fine for Liverpool,’ he said.

‘We want perfection – we want him to do what Erling Haaland does. But we’d want Haaland to hold up the ball better than he does.

‘In terms of what Nunez gives us, yes, we’d like him to score more goals. If he could score more goals like Robbie Fowler and do what else he does, he’d be the best player in the world.’