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Mark Lawrenson makes Darwin Nunez prediction but Arne Slot message won't go down well

Ex-Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has given his verdict on Darwin Nunez's game time in the early weeks of the season
-Credit: (Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)


Former Liverpool mainstay Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Darwin Nunez will "come good" for the Reds - while vowing that Arne Slot should resist the temptation to rest players in Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest.

The Uruguayan forward's displays in his first couple of campaigns have inspired debate among observers amid inconsistent performances in front of goal. While his record of 33 goals in 98 games for the club is respectable, the 25-year-old has garnered a reputation for perceived wastefulness.

With the ex-Benfica man having failed to start any of Liverpool's first three games of the new Premier League season, it appears that the striker is below both Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo in the pecking order currently. However, Anfield hero Lawrenson has forecast that Nunez will prove his worth over the course of the campaign.

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The outspoken pundit is left in no doubt that the attacker's talents will ultimately make him an asset to Slot's squad as the season develops. Rubbishing any suggestions that Nunez has proven a flop so far for the club, he said to Paddy Power: "Darwin Nunez is not a failure of a transfer because I still think he’ll come good.

"They've only played three games and they’ve been good in all of them," he continued, as he assessed where the striker is currently at in the manager's thoughts. "Obviously, everyone looks at him because he misses lots of chances and everything, but I'm told he’s a good lad and is loved by all the players – he’ll get his chance.”

Despite his comments on Nunez, Lawrenson has warned against the new Reds head coach tinkering with his team for the home game against Nottingham Forest this weekend. The Kop icon contends that Slot should look to maintain the momentum heading into the first Champions League clash of the campaign against AC Milan next Tuesday.

Darwin Nunez has failed to start a game in the Premier League so far this season
Darwin Nunez has failed to start a game in the Premier League so far this season -Credit:Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

He asserted: "Arne Slot shouldn’t rotate against Nottingham Forest to rest players for AC Milan. When you start a new competition, you want to win your first game and not be scrambling for results later, but unless someone gets a little knock, or doesn’t play particularly well, then I don’t see him making wholesale changes.

Running the rule over the Reds' performances after three wins and as many clean sheets in the opening weeks of the campaign, Lawrenson said: "Liverpool have started well, and you might argue that two of the fixtures were relatively easy and Manchester United turned out to be easy even though it wasn’t meant to be!

“Slot will want to keep this momentum going for a little bit. If they go three up after an hour, he’ll bring subs on – which is what he’s been doing. First priority is winning the game, and the second priority is to get players on and give them a run out. He’s been clever in that way, very, very clever.”