Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes Viktor Gyokeres is no better than Darwin Nunez as a number nine.
Both strikers sides were in action last night in the Champions League. Nunez was subbed on late in Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, putting the Reds top of the table. Gyokeres played a key part in his Sporting CP’s sides 4-1 win over Manchester City, where he scored a hat-trick.
In the Portuguese league, Gyokeres has 16 goals in 10 games. In just the Swede’s past two games he has scored seven goals which is the same amount that Nunez has in the Premier League this season.
The Liverpool striker, although arriving in Merseyside for a club record fee of £85m, hasn’t been able to solidify himself as a starter.
Speaking to Boylesports, Murphy said: “Darwin Nunez is a number nine. Make no mistake of that. His physical attributes, the way he plays the game, he plays as a nine.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Is he as prolific as you want your number nine to be? Arguably not. But the other things he brings are really important to the way this Liverpool team plays. When he plays he shows constant willingness to put himself in positions to score goals even when he’s struggling.
“When you talk about forward players, winger and strikers, most of them are hot and cold. The ones that aren’t are the best in Europe like Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and not many others.
“I think the great thing that Liverpool players have at the moment, this mentality that I see, is that it doesn’t really matter if Diaz, Nunez, Gakpo or Jota aren’t playing that well. It doesn’t affect their physical energy and output for the team.”
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The Uruguayan hasn’t been able to return to the form he was in at Benfica. In the 2021/2022 season, he bagged 34 goals in 41 games. In just over two years at Liverpool, he has achieved 35 goals, one more than that fantastic season in Portugal.
There may be fear within the club to replace him due to his large price tag and not wanting it to seem a waste.
However, a striker like Gyokeres being out there will most certainly be tempting. But with a £83m release clause, Liverpool would once again have to spend the big bucks.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Liverpool should only look to replace Nunez if there was an available striker out there that would definitely be an improvement on him,’ Murphy said.
“There is talk about Viktor Gyokeres who has obviously evolved and he’s scored a load of goals and he’s doing well in Portugal – but that’s not enough to say that he is better than Darwin Nunez. It’s not a given.
“Nunez is still a young man really. I know you can’t wait forever but when a new manager comes in the door, he’s going to be working with him in a new system and it’s going to take some time as well as a bit of a run in the team.”