Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Thursday, January 26.
Liverpool have new Premier League rival in 'transfer battle' for Matheus Nunes
Liverpool may reportedly face competition for the signing of Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes.
The Reds have been credited with an interest in the Portugal international ever since last summer. When the player was at Sporting Lisbon, Liverpool were linked with a move before he completed a £38m switch to Molineux.
Since then, rumours have emerged that Liverpool could make a move in the summer for Nunes. Various price tags have emerged, with the most consistent figure being in the region of £44m.
READ MORE: Liverpool might have just been handed '11th hour' opportunity to sign new midfielder in January
READ MORE: Chelsea are laughing in Liverpool faces as FSG risk £200m transfer gamble backfiring
Now, according to a report in The Telegraph, another club may be looking at signing Nunes. It has been claimed that Chelsea are showing an interest in the player.
The report states that Chelsea are prepared to compete with Liverpool for the signing of the 24-year-old. It has also been claimed that Nunes has earned plenty of admirers from senior figures at Stamford Bridge, following the first half of his debut season in the Premier League.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Liverpool have found their own Bruno Fernandes
Darwin Nunez has faced almost constant criticism since joining Liverpool. Severe scrutiny is the price to pay when playing for one of the world's biggest football clubs, and he did himself no favours by being sent off in his first start in England.
Much of the ridicule of Nunez’s performances stems from him missing big chances in big moments. An optimist would point out that at least he was in the right place, that the opportunity would not have occurred without his pace and movement. Level-headed analysis like that doesn’t attract much engagement on social media though.
The former Benfica man often gets mocked for poor decision making in the final third too, with his team-mates missing out on great chances thanks to his inability to complete a pass. However, where Nunez has undoubtedly squandered several high value opportunities for Liverpool, there are no major issues with the creative side of his game. On a pro-rata basis he has been one of the most productive players in the 2022/23 Premier League.
Nunez’s record of two assists (plus one against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup) suggests otherwise. These are a poor method of measuring a player’s creativity as they rely upon a team-mate converting their shot, though. The 23-year-old’s record with clear-cut chances is all the proof we need of this.
This metric concerns opportunities where you would expect the player having the goal attempt to score. Trent Alexander-Arnold leads the way for Liverpool this season, with 13 in all competitions, ahead of Mohamed Salah on nine. Nunez is next, with eight, though only two of them have become assists. Andy Robertson has created one fewer clear-cut chance but has set up four goals for his efforts.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
READ NEXT:
- Darwin Nunez truth now obvious at Liverpool as Fabinho concern alarmingly clear
- Liverpool unveil new look as three more players absent from training ahead of Brighton tie
Cafu makes light of Liverpool midfield problems with surprise Real Madrid combined XI pick
- Jude Bellingham names 'too good' Liverpool player and explains Trent Alexander-Arnold omission
- How Thiago Alcantara is helping Liverpool transform £224k defender into 'surprise' midfield saviour
