Michael Owen disagrees with Jurgen Klopp and warns Liverpool about Darwin Nunez

Michael Owen is concerned that Darwin Nunez may not be able to develop into the prolific striker Liverpool fans are hoping for.

Despite recording a credible 18 goals last season, the attacker missed a series of chances in good positions that perhaps ought to have led to a higher tally. Nunez, now 24, has at times been accused of being rash with his opportunities. He failed to start the final four Premier League games of the season.

Some analysts believe the striker - set to represent Uruguay at the Copa America this summer - has yet to reach his full potential. Jurgen Klopp described Nunez as an “incredible finisher” in late December, by which time he had scored eight of his 18 goals.

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However, Owen fears that Nunez might have already reached his ceiling, albeit refutes talk that he is effectively on trial to impress this season to avoid a transfer exit next year. Speaking to the ECHO, the former Liverpool striker said: “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.

“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.”

Owen added: “[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.”

Nunez - who still has four years left on his contract - has 33 goals in 96 Liverpool appearances since joining in 2022.

Michael Owen was speaking to the Liverpool Echo courtesy of AceOdds.com.