Darwin Nunez is the future of the club says Liverpool legend

Cameron Smith

• 11 Nov 2022 17:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Darwin Nunez has divided opinion since joining Liverpool, but Reds legend John Barnes believes the Uruguay international is the future of the club.

Nunez, 24, joined Liverpool from Benfica in the summer after he scored 34 goals and assisted four in all competitions for Benfica last term.

He's netted seven goals and assisted two in all competitions so far this season but has been criticised for his unorthodox and chaotic style.

READ: Darwin Nunez is the world's most entertaining footballer

Given the task of replacing Sadio Mane, Nunez was dealt a tough hand, but Barnes thinks that Liverpool should learn from Arsenal and trust their youngsters rather than right them off early, like some have done to Nunez.

Mikel Arteta's side are currently top of the Premier League and have enjoyed a major turnaround from last season after missing out on Champions League football. The likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli have played a key role in Arsenal's ascent to top spot in England, and Barnes believes Liverpool should learn from the Gunners in order to get back to past glories.

READ: Darwin who? Benfica a much better team after €100m Nunez sale

What has Barnes said?

Speaking to Bonus Code Bets, Barnes said: "[Harvey] Elliott, [Luis] Diaz, [Darwin] Nunez, and [Fabio] Carvalho are the future of Liverpool.

"These are the players that, if they are treated right and supported, even if they don’t necessarily want to win the league or the Champions League.

"We stick with them and support them and we can then see the benefits sooner rather than later. As the Arsenal players are showing. Last season they didn’t qualify for the Champions League and the young players were a bit inconsistent.

"But because the fans have stuck with them and everything was positive, they are now reaping the rewards of that and hopefully Liverpool will be the same. Although I feel Liverpool are ahead of them in that stage anyway. They don’t have as far to come as Arsenal did."

Liverpool are currently in eighth place in the Premier League and face Southampton at Anfield in the final game before the World Cup, a tournament in which Nunez will be representing Uruguay.