Luis Suarez has backed Darwin Nunez to “write his own story” at Liverpool following his record move to Anfield.
Nunez, 22, will become just the third Uruguayan to don the famous red shirt after he completed his initial £64m transfer from Benfica earlier this month. The forward follows in the footsteps of former Kop star Suarez, who became the first from the South American country to play for the club in 2011 before Sebastian Coates followed him later that year.
Liverpool will know if Nunez can perform anywhere near to Suarez’s level then they will have a superstar on their hands, who could eventually cost a club record £85m. Suarez scored 82 goals in 133 games across three-and-a-half years with the Reds, during which he almost led them to the Premier League title in 2013-14 before leaving for Barcelona.
The Reds are a much different proposition now having ended their league title wait, won the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup under Jurgen Klopp. Suarez reckons his compatriot shouldn’t be compared to him as he prepares to help the Reds go for more trophies.
He said: “He (Nunez) will write his own story at Liverpool. He is Uruguayan and he is a forward but that is where the comparisons stop – he is a special player and doesn’t need to be compared with anybody. He is going to a great club with one of the best coaches in the world, players he can learn off, and of course those special fans.”
Suarez has offered to give his fellow Uruguayan some tips for life in England and the Premier League. He said: “I can be there to offer him advice about England and about the style of play – but I don’t think he will need it – he will let his talent do the talking.”
Nunez became one of Europe’s most wanted strikers last season as he notched 32 goals in 39 appearances for the Portuguese side with Liverpool beating Manchester United to his signature. Klopp fell in love with the striker as he was preparing to face Benfica in the last eight of the Champions League as the Reds coaching staff analysed their opponents.
Nunez then scored in both legs against the Reds despite Benfica being comfortably beaten. But things could have been very different for Nunez, if Barcelona had taken Suarez’s advice. Nunez played with Almeria in Spain in the 2019-20 season and Suarez advised his former club to sign his compatriot. His advice was ignored and he ended up leaving for Benfica in September 2020.
Suarez added: “It was last season that Europe started to take notice of him because of his performances for Benfica – but from an early age I could see there was something special in him. While he was at Almeria I recommended him to Barcelona but it was something that never happened.”
