‘He'd frighten me to death’ - Gary Neville on Darwin Nunez after his brace against Newcastle in EPL 2023/24

Darwin Nunez lit up St. James’ Park with his stoppage-time winner as 10-man Liverpool defeated Newcastle 2-1 on 27 August in the ongoing English Premier League (EPL) 2023/24. After trailing by 1-0 till 80 minutes, the Reds managed to win the game courtesy of the Uruguay forward’s brace (in the 81st minute, 90+3rd minute). 

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It was Liverpool’s second win in three games and currently, they are in the fourth spot with seven points. After the game, the former Manchester United player, Gary Neville claimed that he would like to play against Jota and Gakpo rather than Nunez. Neville also heaped praise regarding his tremendous speed.

“His mind is really quick and that usually isn't good for a striker.” - Gary Neville

Neville said: "Me and Jamie Carragher had a conversation about him last season and we both said he'll come good. He can be a bit scratchy and snatchy at chances - it doesn't look like he composes himself. Top strikers usually have ice in their veins, to make the game look really slow. He doesn't have that. He's frantic. His mind is really quick and that usually isn't good for a striker.”

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"But when he got the two chances at Newcastle, he took them and that's what you need to do to be a top striker. That's what you need to do when you cost £80-90m is that you need to score big goals in big moments for your team. That was a huge moment for Liverpool and Nunez,” he further added.

"I'd rather play against Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota than Nunez - he'd frighten me to death, the speed of him. But if he can't finish then he doesn't have the punch to knock your opponents out. If adds that punch, then he becomes a really interesting player," Gary Neville concluded. However, this win also ensured that the Reds maintained their record of being unbeaten against the Magpies in the Premier League for nearly eight years.