Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin believes Darwin Nunez will have to 'hit the ground running' if Liverpool are to win the Premier League title this season.
Nunez completed his move from Benfica earlier in June for an initial fee of £64m, but that could reach a club-record £85m if add-ons are met. The 23-year-old Uruguay international arrives as a replacement for Sadio Mane, who has completed a transfer to Bayern Munich.
Liverpool's title rivals Manchester City have also been busy bolstering their attacking options. City, who pipped the Reds to the title by one point last season, have signed Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
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And ex-QPR and Southampton star Austin, who has just signed for Brisbane Roar, told talkSPORT: “It’s a big ask to replace him (Mane). Nunez has come into replace him and he’s got to hit the ground running straight away. Liverpool can’t afford to drop points or start slowly compared to Man City.
"They’ve just signed (Erling) Haaland who’s arguably the best centre-forward in the world at the moment, so it’s going to be interesting.”
Nunez found the back of the net 34 times in 41 games for Benfica last season and Liverpool will be hoping he shows similar form this upcoming campaign.
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