Former England international Lianne Sanderson has claimed that Darwin Núñez is not at the level required to lead Liverpool’s attack, suggesting it may be time for the Reds to replace the Uruguayan striker.
The 37-year-old pundit’s comments came after Núñez missed a crucial chance in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, reigniting debates about his finishing ability and composure in front of goal.
Núñez, who has scored just six goals in 35 Premier League appearances this season, squandered a golden opportunity to put Liverpool ahead at Villa Park. After a brilliant run and pass from Conor Bradley, Dominic Szoboszlai set up Núñez for what should have been a simple finish. However, the striker blasted his effort over the bar, leaving fans and pundits frustrated.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star expressed her doubts about Núñez’s ability to deliver for Liverpool. “He isn’t good enough,” she said.
“He’s got all the attributes to be a top player – he’s good in the air, he’s got pace – but he just isn’t that guy. Unfortunately, he just isn’t, and that’s the reality. They’ve bought him, they’ve tried him, and now they need to get someone else.”
The former footballer, who won 50 caps for England, acknowledged Núñez’s work rate and effort but emphasized that his lack of end product is a major issue. She also highlighted the psychological impact of missing big chances, referencing Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s post-match comments
“He works his socks off, and you’ve got to respect him for that. He does what he can for the team, but ultimately, in front of goal, which is why they paid a big sum of money to bring him in, he’s just not delivering.
When you’re a center forward, you are going to miss chances, but the elite players know how to recover from that quickly. Núñez had another opportunity later in the game where he could have made amends, but he didn’t take it. That’s the problem.”
The former Juventus player suggested that Núñez might thrive in a different league, where the pressure is less intense.
“I think he’ll go to another league and score 20 goals a season. Maybe in Spain or somewhere like that, it’ll be a bit more comfortable for him. There’s huge pressure playing for Liverpool, especially a team going for titles and the Champions League. Maybe it’s just not for everyone.”
Despite her criticism, the ex-England star praised Liverpool’s overall performance against Villa, noting that they created enough chances to win the game.
“Liverpool deserved to win that game. They had the lion’s share of the good chances and really should have put it to bed. But when you’re going for the Premier League title, you can’t afford to miss opportunities like Núñez did.”
