Nacional forward Luis Suarez and Liverpool forward Darwin Nuñez will join each other in the Uruguay squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a rather interesting link-up in the eyes of many Liverpool fans as Suarez is the past of Liverpool’s strike force whereas Núñez is the present and future.
Suarez was adored by the Anfield faithful during his time at Liverpool scoring 82 goals in 133 appearances for the Reds, despite only winning one league cup medal during his 3 years at the club he is regarded by many as one of the greatest to ever put on the red shirt.
Hoping to follow in his footsteps is 23-year-old Darwin Nuñez, who signed for Liverpool from Benfica at a club record transfer worth £64million last summer. Nunez had a promising start to his new life at the reds by scoring an impressive header against Manchester City in the Charity Shield putting his side 3-1 up at the King Power Stadium, and also grabbing a goal at Craven Cottage with an assist to go with it, although the game ended 2-2.
The following league game at Anfield against Crystal Palace, Nuñez was shown a straight red card resulting in a 3-match suspension after a deliberate headbutt on Palace defender Joachim Anderson, an act of madness cost Nunez carrying on his good start to life in English football.
However, a fellow Uruguayan forward contacted him via text message and gave Nuñez professional advice. The Liverpool striker voiced the following in an interview with ESPN FC,
‘’I think the gesture was really important for me. Luis is a reference point, an idol everywhere in the world. I’m getting started, I’m young and he knows all about these things because he had already in the Premier League with Liverpool. Luis told me that these things will happen in every game in the Premier League, that they’ll come and find me, that they’re going to bump into me and that I need to make myself strong and not repeat my screw up, ‘’Listen to an idiot like me’’ he said, I really appreciate that message and the fondness he has for me.’’
As talented on the pitch as Luis Suarez is, it is no secret that he was a rather controversial character during his tenure in English football. I do believe though that for a player in Darwin Nuñez’s position, his fellow Uruguayan international is arguably the best person for him to look to as a mentor figure, given what Suarez has achieved in football at club and international level including a Copa America 2011 winners medal.
Suarez unsurprisingly won over the love of Liverpool fans despite his hot-head reputation, finishing his time at Anfield with just a League Cup medal, Suarez’s career went on to become more decorated, and now has an impressive CV to his name, he went onto win a Champions League trophy and 4 La Liga titles with Barcelona, also winning yet another La Liga title with Atletico Madrid.
Luis Suarez also has an impressive individual legacy in the Premier League picking up the Golden Boot award, PFA Players’ Player of the year, Football Writers Association Player of the year and making the PFA team of the year, at the end of the 2013/14 campaign, so that leaves the question, who could possibly be a better mentor figure for Darwin Nunez in world football at the moment?
Maybe over the next couple of weeks in Qatar whilst they are on international duty together Suarez can help Darwin Nuñez take his current form and career in general to that next level with his guidance.
After returning from his suspension, Nuñez made 5 appearances before he found the net again with a goal in a 3-2 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Nonetheless, he had a better run of form before the pause in the top-flight club football season due to the World Cup starting in November this year, with an extra 6 goals in 9 appearances for the Reds.
Will the influence of ‘El Pistolero’ rub off on Liverpool’s record signing in the World Cup and in the future in general? I’m excited to find out.
Edward Wright
09.12.2022 at 12:15
Nunez has the potential to be a Liverpool great but he is a raw talent as yet. Whilst his goal scoring record per games is good his pass completion in my view needs improving. Nonetheless I love the buzz around the ground willing him to do well when he’s on the ball.