Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez 's promising record in front of goal for the Reds makes him a "scary" prospect - and Thierry Henry doesn't disagree.
The 25-year-old Nunez is averaging a goal every 106 minutes for his new team, having already bagged seven in all competitions since his £68million transfer from Benfica before the start of the season. But what makes the Uruguay international's tally even more impressive is the fact he's only played the full 90 minutes of a match twice in his blossoming Liverpool career.
Often used as substitute by manager Jurgen Klopp or hauled off before the full-time, Nunez hasn't been afforded an easy run in the side, partially due to being sent off on his home debut for a rash headbutt. His lack of minutes has prompted Carragher to take note of his commendable output after bagging a late goal during the Reds' 2-0 victory over Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday, having been subbed on by Klopp in the 73rd minute.
"It's really interesting watching Nunez, he comes on and makes a huge impact," Liverpool legend Carragher hailed on CBS Sports. "He hasn't set the world alight, he hasn't done what [Erling] Haaland 's done and people are expecting more for the price tag. But when you actually look at the minutes he's been on the pitch and how many goals he's scored per minute, his numbers are actually scary.
"He's probably come on there for 20 minutes and he's got his goal, so he's actually made a huge impact. But there's still something not quite there where Jurgen Klopp's gonna play him every single game. He's still searching for a system and how to fit him in.
"He's very, very raw, but I think there's something - I wouldn't say 'special', it's probably a bit much - but I think there's something about him where you can't take your eyes off him when you're watching him play and I think Liverpool have got a real player."
Carragher then proceeded to ask Henry's opinion, arguably the Premier League 's greatest ever striker. "I think he needs confidence," Arsenal icon Henry declared. "And the confidence that I'm talking about is when you are are at a club and you feel like you're going to play week-in, week-out you're a bit more cold in front of the goal.
"Because he wants to please so much and do so much – he wants to wow the Liverpool fans – sometimes he rushes it. He gets the ball, he rushes it instead of controlling the ball and going back on his right foot to finish it clean. He kind of rushes it.
"I went through that. You arrive as a big signing, coming after Sadio Mane and that's not easy to do, and you just overdo it at times instead of being calm and cool."
Carragher then noted that Nunez isn't the most clinical striker around, usually needing a string of chances before eventually putting the ball in the back of the net. Henry was in agreement, saying: "Yeah. He's more the type of guy that when he gets one, things will come. Is he a finisher like Robbie Fowler? I don't think he is a finisher like Robbie Fowler - not a lot of people were in all fairness.
"But he has goals in him, he's a bit more of a handful, so sometimes he will rush stuff. A bit like Alexis Sanchez or a young Luis Suarez, when you felt like things are bouncing off him and stuff like that. But when you start to master what you're good at, then you can control it better. And when that will happen to him, I think he can be a handful."
Carragher went on to use another comparison to illustrate Nunez's profile, likening him to former Liverpool hero Fernando Torres. "You mention Robbie Fowler," the ex-Reds defender added. "There's something about a player I played with who scored a lot more goals - certainly in his first season, we'll see what Nunez does.
Have your say! Can Nunez go on to be a better signing than Torres? Join the debate in the comments section.
"Fernando Torres, where he's got that power physically to knock defenders off and that blistering pace, but at times maybe technically not the best in terms general play, build-up. At times you'd give the ball to Fernando, he could lose it and be a little bit awkward. I think [Nunez] looks like that right now, he just reminds me of him.
Henry agreed once more, affirming: "Yeah, you're definitely right there but you guys were also playing a style of play that was perfect for Torres. A bit low, and he was always facing the game. I think that'd suit Nunez a tiny bit better. But that Liverpool side is a bit different because this team wait, you're playing in the last third. He needs to adapt to that also, that's not new and that's not easy."
