Darwin Nunez had a frustrating afternoon as Liverpool beat Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup, and Reds legend Robbie Fowler has suggested that the Uruguayan can learn from 18-year-old Jayden Danns
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler didn’t hold back in his assessment of Darwin Nunez, suggesting the £85million striker could pick up a few tips from 18-year-old Jayden Danns.
Despite playing the full match against League Two underdogs Accrington Stanley, Nunez failed to find the net, missing several opportunities and often appearing desperate in his attempts, which left him looking quite the frustrated figure on the pitch.
While young Danns had a day to remember, scoring again in the FA Cup as he bounced off the bench in the second half. Rio Ngumoha made history as the club’s youngest-ever starter, and other youngsters Trey Nyoni, Tyler Morton, and James McConnell put in promising displays.
Danns scored the third goal after winning the ball at the halfway line, passing it to Federico Chiesa, and then smashing in the rebound from Chiesa’s shot. Fowler praised Danns’ performance on ITV, highlighting that Nunez could learn from the youngster’s eagerness to re-enter the box after initiating play, something Nunez tends to neglect.
“That’s what we like about him (Danns) as a young kid,” Fowler said. “His attitude is brilliant, I think he has got a little bit of everything in his armoury. He wins the ball (back), passes forward and what I love about him – and I think Nunez can learn something off this – he wants to get back into the box. Whereas sometimes Nunez will get it and he will play a ball and then sort of hang back.
“But Jayden Danns, he wins the ball and he has got an incredible appetite and desire to get in the box after he has passed the ball because he knows something might happen, the ball might come back to you. And sure it does and he finishes it one-touch into the Kop end for the third Liverpool goal.”
Karen Carney then chimed in: “That’s the standard, you see them all out there for different reasons, whether it’s fitness or like Jayden it’s an opportunity. They are all hungry, this is Liverpool football club, when you have got an opportunity – take it.”
Danns has now netted three times for Liverpool, all as a substitute, as he continues to make his case for inclusion in Arne Slot’s matchday squad. The Dutch manager echoed Fowler’s sentiments, highlighting Danns’ mentality as a standout trait of the young player who appears to be putting pressure on Nunez’s place in the squad.
“Another academy player that the academy can be proud of,” Slot told Match of the Day. “Not only the quality it’s the mentality he has. Whenever we need him he always gives his best and that’s something what Liverpool players are known for.”