Darwin Nunez could get just what he needs against…

Darwin Nunez could get just what he needs against Wolves to answer Liverpool critics

The curious case of Darwin Nunez continues, as the Liverpool striker looks a world beater until he has to shoot at goal.

Having missed 15 big chances already this season - the most in the Premier League - Nunez has come in for criticism from pundits, rival fans and even some of his own supporters.

With the FA Cup third round coming up for Liverpool on Saturday night, Nunez should see the famous, old trophy as an opportunity to put his Premier League run behind him and kickstart a scoring run in a red shirt.

Right from the start of joining up with the Liverpool squad in pre-season following his £64million move from Benfica, Nunez was under the spotlight from rival fans and they preyed on any scuffed shot or missed opportunity.

The performance off the bench against Manchester City in the Community Shield was an early indicator to the Liverpool fans what the Uruguayan would bring to the attack - chaos. After scoring one and winning a penalty, Reds fans were optimistic about the man brought in to replace a club legend in Sadio Mane.

Nunez's first five months in the Premier League have been colourful to say the least with five goals and two assists in 13 appearances. Let's not forget that red card against Crystal Palace, too.

Seven goal involvements in 13 appearances is a good return for a young player coming to a new country where he can't even speak the language yet. The criticism has been extremely bizarre, but that is something he is likely to come across during his time at Liverpool and something he will have to learn to deal with.

Wolves are the visitors to Anfield this afternoon and, with his side 19th in the league, Julen Lopetegui is likely to make changes to a side battling to stay in England's top division. That could well present Liverpool's number 27 with the ideal opportunity to get the proverbial monkey off the back and end his drought in front of goal.

It's clear to see that Nunez would be a nightmare for defenders to play against. Look what he did against City at the Etihad in the Carabao Cup just before Christmas - his blistering pace down the left was too much for Aymeric Laporte to deal with and Nunez supplied Mohamed Salah with an assist.

Salah has often looked lonely in attack for Liverpool this season, but one of the positives to take from recent weeks is that a partnership with Nunez seems to be slowly forming.

The arrival of Cody Gakpo will grant Nunez with even more chances to score as the two will be desperate to link up on the pitch. Hopefully, Anfield will catch a glimpse of the duo on Saturday. In 14 matches for PSV this season, Gakpo managed 12 assists alongside nine goals - that will be music to Nunez's ears.

With injuries to Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, Nunez has fast become a key player for the Reds and him hitting the back of the net could be the difference between Liverpool playing in the Champions League next season or not.

Yes, Nunez's finishing at times has been rash and that needs to be ironed out on the training pitch, but chances keep falling to the Uruguayan and that is something that cannot be taught.

Rio Ferdinand issued a warning to the Premier League about the Liverpool striker on his Vibe with Five podcast: "I think Nunez has got something. What I like about him is that he is getting the chances. I would be more concerned if he wasn’t getting the chances. He’s a young player. He is growing into the game. It’s a new league. I think there is more to come from him.”

Usually, in these cases, once Nunez hits the back of the net, the goals will be flowing for the striker and that is nothing but good news for Liverpool and Klopp.

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