As a big-money signing expected by Liverpool to be a prolific goalscorer, Peter Crouch has a greater sense of understanding than almost anyone else when it comes to Darwin Nunez’s difficult first season at Anfield.
But Crouch, who went 18 games before finding the net at Anfield, believes fans are about to see the real Nunez in his second campaign with the confidence of his match-winning performance away to Newcastle United two weeks ago setting the tone.
Nunez, like Crouch, was criticised away from Merseyside for his struggles in front of goal but the TNT Sports pundit believes there is additional patience afforded by Liverpool fans compared to other big clubs.
Yet the backing he experienced in 2005 is being mirrored by the Uruguay striker and he is now being tipped to repay their faith after emerging from the shadows of Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
Asked if he could see parallels, Crouch said: “It was similar but he didn’t go 18 games, I know that. He was still scoring goals. There were the odd misses of chances and he felt quite raw at times but I saw a small comparison. My drought was much longer than his.
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“There was always an element of “Is he right? Will he do it?” What killed him a bit was coming in the same window as Haaland, City and Liverpool are big rivals and it was, “who was better?” Haaland got off to an incredible start and Nunez was falling foul of that comparison.
“This year that’s all gone. It’s a new season, he’s scoring goals and people will see the real Darwin Nunez this season. He was ahead of me at the early stage.
“When he was getting a little bit of criticism it was from outside Liverpool and people around the club. When you are going through a tough time and it looks like you’re giving everything and helping to improve the team but might not be scoring there’s no better place in the world.
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The former striker enjoyed aa spell with Liverpool“If I was signing anywhere other than Liverpool after they had just won the Champions League and they could have their pick of strikers and the striker doesn’t score for that amount of time - I don’t think there is any other club in the world that would stick with you in the manner they did with me. And that’s why Nunez is in such a good place to play his football.
“The thing with him is he was scoring goals but there were times where he looked out of sorts. This year he looks full of confidence and if you win games like against Newcastle on your own, the finishes were top class, it’s confidence. He looks like a confidence player.
“Given the opportunity to settle is almost like a new signing. The same with Luis Diaz, who was missing last year. Again it’s a £100m player. There’s a real feel-good factor around the club and I hope that continues.”
On top of Nunez and Diaz, Mo Salah remaining and a new-look midfield means Crouch sees them being the “best of the rest” after reigning champions Manchester City.
And he also believes personal pride from those who performed under-par last season will ensure that there are no prolonged runs of poor results.
“They’ve made some good signings and getting Luis Diaz back too. There was a loss of form for quite a few last year and they’ll have gone away and thought they can’t let that happen. That’s why we’re seeing the start we did last year.
“There’s some top, top players there that didn’t perform last year to the ability they have. You’ll see the levels up. They’ve made some astute signings.”
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Peter Crouch was speaking ahead of Liverpool v Wolves, which will be shown live and exclusive on TNT Sports 1 from 11am on Saturday, 16th September. TNT Sports is available through its streaming destination discovery+ and across all major TV platforms. This isn’t Just Sport, This is Everything. For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/football
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