Liverpool great Robbie Fowler believes new signing Darwin Nunez can help solve a key problem for the Reds when they come up against low block sides.
The Uruguayan will join Jurgen Klopp 's side this summer in what has the potential to become a record-breaking transfer for the club. Liverpool have paid £64 million upfront for Nunez, but the deal includes up to £21 million in add-ons.
His arrival could ease the blow of Sadio Mane 's departure as he left Anfield for Bayern Munich last month. Nunez is entirely different to the current attacking options at the club and Fowler believes he will not only score goals for Liverpool, but help create space for those around him.
READ MORE: Sadio Mane forced Liverpool to make transfer decision like never before under Jurgen Klopp
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp could implement major changes as day Liverpool squad hate arrives
“I think it is really simple," he told bettingexpert. “We are driven now by a stats game and a data game. We have all seen the Money Ball film. I don’t think it is as complex as that.
“I think we look at the player stats, how he brings others into the game, whether he can keep hold of the ball and bring others into it, whether he can score goals, whether he can roam behind, whether he can roam this side of the defence. I think one of Liverpool’s problems, it sounds stupid because of everything, I’ve seen in the last couple of years. A lot of teams have played sort of sitting deep. Liverpool has played all the football in front of the defence.
“Now we’ve got a player obviously in Nunez who can come maybe this side of the defenders (play beyond the defenders). This should be obvious for a striker, but sometimes when you are this way, it makes the defenders want to roam backwards. It creates space for certain other players (in the middle) in these roles here. This has been played for years here, which obviously condenses the play. Nunez is a little bit of that player, he can play off the shoulder.
“The signs in terms of players, it is position specifics. It is bringing others into the game, it is knowing the fact that if the ball goes here you can hold it off, and you can bring other players into it. A good striker will always be the one who can hold it, feed others and then get himself into the box, for a cross or for a forward pass.
“I think if you look at stats in terms of the speed, the movements, the dribbling attributes, it is not as easy. I think he will score goals.”
A similar belief was also echoed by one of Nunez' former coaches, Jose Gomes, who worked with him during his time in Spain with Almeira. The 23-year-old spent one season with the club before he was signed by Benfica in September 2020.
"(Nunez is a good fit) not only for the coach himself, who is a motivator and enthusiastic but also for the style of play he pushes," Gomes told Portuguese newspaper Record when the transfer was announced. "Klopp likes to look for spaces behind opposing defensive lines, which means that we can say that Darwin will feel like a fish in water, because speed and quick attack are characteristics that he favours."
READ NEXT:
-
Liverpool may actually benefit from Brexit rule after £50m FSG decision
-
Jurgen Klopp signed £43.7m replacement for Liverpool star who scored 'spectacular' goal
-
Liverpool finances show how FSG pulled off Mohamed Salah deal at perfect time
-
Liverpool make Jude Bellingham transfer 'decision' as 'offers rejected' for Mesut Ozil successor
-
Harvey Elliott sends Fabio Carvalho message to Liverpool fans and makes 'perfect player' point
