Rio Ferdinand praises Darwin Nunez for crucial block in Liverpool’s win and suggests one improvement to reach next level

Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Darwin Nunez after the striker seemed to steal a potential goal from teammate Mohamed Salah in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Red Bull Leipzig.

The Reds survived a late onslaught from the German side, who are currently tied on points at the top of the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, to secure a vital victory in the Champions League leaving them on nine points from three matches.

The match saw out-of-form Nunez make a rare start, with the Uruguayan scoring just the single goal this season in a 3-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old broke his duck against Leipzig tonight though the manner in which he broke the deadlock, nicking what seemed to be a certain goal for Salah, indicated his desperation to kickstart his campaign.

But pundit Ferdinand has told TNT Sports that Nunez was correct to tap the ball home, while also giving the centre-forward some advice on how he can improve.

The Reds survived a late onslaught from the German side, who are currently tied on points at the top of the Bundesliga

The match saw out-of-form Nunez make a rare start this campaign, with the Uruguayan scoring just the single goal this season

He said: ‘As a squad they would want him to be the one on the scoresheet. They need everyone if they’re going to be battling for trophies. To get a bit of confidence what better for a striker than to get on the scoresheet.

‘[Salah’s header] could have bounced back onto the post or it could have gone in. If there’s a little bit of doubt, you’ve got to put it in the back of the net and that’s what strikers do.

‘His all-round game was much better, much cleaner. He was involved in most of the key moments.

‘I think he was in the right areas to score goals. His work rate is one of his main traits.

‘He was involved in all the good stuff that Liverpool did tonight and that’s what you want from your striker. Especially as he’s searching for some confidence – if you an do that in that mode, when he gets a bit of momentum and confidence he could be a player.

‘I think he’s a handful to play against. You just want him to be a bit cleaner in front of goal and start executing.’

Fellow pundit Steve McManaman also insisted that Darwin had had a good night and that the striker, who signed in the summer of 2022, was ready to step up at Anfield.

‘He was more efficient than [Cody] Gakpo tonight, he was more efficient than Mo Salah tonight.

‘If [Diogo] Jota is out injured, he can come in do a job and get a result then everyone will be happy.’

Ferdinand said: If there’s a little bit of doubt, you’ve got to put it in the back of the net and that’s what strikers do’

Fellow pundit Steve McManaman also insisted that Darwin had had a good night

Manager Arne Slot also recognised the Uruguayan’s impact on the vital win on Wednesday night.

The Dutchman said: ‘I asked for a goal and he gave us one. But Gakpo was also important with Mo [Salah] also getting an assist. It was a team goal.

‘It’s good and pleasing Darwin did a very good job today.’