Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol has warned new signing Darwin Nunez has 'a lot of growing to do' after he was sent off in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Despite dominating possession and creating a number of good chances, the Reds found themselves 1-0 down at half-time following a well-worked counter-attack from the visitors. Things only got worse after the break as the Uruguayan received a straight red card for headbutting Palace defender Joachim Andersen.
Luis Diaz stepped up with a moment of magic to salvage a point for Jurgen Klopp 's side, but it was another disappointing result for Liverpool as they're still without a win in the league. Nunez is understandably the talking point and former Red Nicol believes the 23-year-old will be 'fine', but there's still plenty to work on when it comes to composure both on and off the ball.
READ MORE: National media react to Darwin Nunez red card as Luis Suarez point made after Liverpool draw
READ MORE: James Milner explains what Liverpool players will do in training after Darwin Nunez red card
"He’s got a lot of growing to do," he told ESPN. "The guy's got quality. Yes he’s a handful but you know what comes is a lot of teething problems and one of them being what goes on in your head, your composure, whether it’s composure when you’re in front of goal or whether it’s composure on the field of play when someones trying to rub you up the wrong way - you take the bait. Darwin Nunez is going to be fine."
The result leaves Liverpool four points behind rivals Manchester City, with a test against Manchester United on the horizon. The home side had 24 shots across the 90 minutes, only four of which were on target and Nicol went on to voice his concern over the lack of goals and failure to take chances.
"(I feel) completely and utterly deflated," he added. "This is a game Liverpool had to win, they probably should’ve won it but as much as they dominated, they didn’t look as though they were going to score. They had some chances, they weren’t chances you were going ‘how’s he missed that?’
"Nunez had a couple of chances that had he had more composure on his finish, he would’ve scored, he did have one where he pulled it down but you’ve got to give credit to the defender. So I’m talking Nunez having no composure with his finish and he certainly got sent off with lack of composure because he’s headbutted his opponent.
"Mo Salah at 0-0 should’ve scored with a header, a free header, seven yards out so if you take those chances then it probably turns out a different way. But as I say, I didn’t feel as though Liverpool were going to score and it was going to take an incredible goal from Diaz to eventually get the ball in the back of the net."
READ NEXT
-
Darwin Nunez's silly, stupid and utterly mindless sending off hands Liverpool long-term concern
-
Jurgen Klopp explains 'crazy' week in training that resulted in four more Liverpool injuries
-
Darwin Nunez red card: What games Liverpool striker will now miss
-
Darwin Nunez red card: Liverpool fans bemoan striker's sending off against Crystal Palace
-
Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville explain Darwin Nunez 'moment of madness' as Liverpool man sees red
