Liverpool sent blunt Darwin Nunez warning as Michael Owen changes his mind

Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez may already have reached his peak, according to ex-Reds striker Michael Owen. The Uruguayan, who has scored 33 goals in 96 games since signing from Benfica, has been questioned plenty of times since arriving on Merseyside.

"People are really hopeful that he could turn into a top player because obviously, they see some attributes that are phenomenal and hard to teach," Owen told the ECHO. "But I think if he continues like he is now, I think people will probably just accept that that's what he's going to be forever. When I first saw him, I thought, geez, he's raw. I expected it obviously.

"I knew his age, but I expected that of a younger player, that he’s going to learn more about the game and the role and things like that. But with his age, you think to yourself, well, if he’s not learned it by now and I've been saying it for a couple of years now, but probably I'm starting to think that what you see is what you get now.

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"[Nunez is] a talented boy who's got great attributes that will certainly have a big role to play for Liverpool. Two years ago, I thought this kid could be anything. I was so excited in a way to see what he could be. Now I'm starting to come around to thinking what we see is what we get."

Liverpool is not expecting to lose Nunez this summer despite sporadic transfer rumors and will be hoping that the 24-year-old can kick on again after returning from the Copa America. The talent is certainly there but the question is whether or not he can become consistent and ruthless in front of goal, with all the attributes needed to become a top striker already present.

If things click into gear, then Niunez could become a 30-goal-per-season forward. But while he is a magnet for big chances, a larger proportion of them need to find their way into the back of the net.

Liverpool.com says: His third season at Liverpool will be an important one for Nunez. The Uruguayan will need to find some consistency and under a new head coach in Arne Slot, there is a clean slate for him. That presents an opportunity and it is one that he will be desperate to take.