During Liverpool’s dominant 4-0 FA Cup victory over Accrington Stanley, former Reds forward Robbie Fowler had strong words about Darwin Nunez’s performance, suggesting that the Uruguayan striker may not be fit to wear the Liverpool shirt.

Missed Opportunities and Lack of Form

Despite Liverpool’s commanding win, Nunez had two prime chances to score within the first 12 minutes but failed to convert, continuing a worrying trend of missed opportunities.

The 24-year-old has netted just one goal in his last 14 appearances, despite the team’s overall success under manager Arne Slot.

Since joining the club, Nunez has managed 37 goals in 121 appearances across all competitions.

Fowler Questions Nunez’s Role at Liverpool

Fowler didn’t hold back in criticizing Nunez’s work ethic, stating that simply working hard is not enough to earn a spot in Liverpool’s lineup.

He noted that fans have repeatedly excused Nunez’s performances with phrases like “he’s raw” and “he’s developing,” but Fowler feels these excuses are no longer valid.

“The more I see him, the more I think he’s not a Liverpool player,” Fowler remarked.

“People might have a go at me for saying this, but you’re not bringing in a player just because he works hard. That should be a given. What matters is that you score goals, and that’s where he’s falling short.”

Criticism of Nunez’s Finishing

One moment in particular stood out to pundits, including Fowler and fellow analyst Karen Carney, who were both critical of Nunez’s finishing ability.

Carney noted that when a player commands an £85 million price tag, fans expect a higher level of performance.

“You expect more when you pay that much. Concentrate, hit the target,” Carney said.

Fowler added to this criticism, emphasizing the importance of getting shots on target.

“The worst you can do is hit it over the bar. You’ve got to make the keeper work,” Fowler asserted.

Fowler’s Analysis of Nunez’s Mental Game

When asked about the root cause of Nunez’s struggles in front of goal, Fowler, who scored 171 goals in 330 matches for Liverpool, explained that Nunez’s issue lies in his decision-making under pressure.

While Nunez is quick on the field, Fowler pointed out that a striker’s speed of thought must be just as fast as their physical speed.

“He’s quick on the ground, we know how fast he is, but as a striker, your mind has to be quicker than anyone else’s. When he has time to think about it, he struggles,” Fowler said.

“His thought process needs to improve if he’s to make it at Liverpool.”

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