Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has blasted Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, suggesting that neither of them is up to the standard required to feature prominently under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Enrique believes that the duo lack the quality to play for teams that are genuinely challenging for trophies.
Despite facing criticism for his lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, Nunez managed to contribute 15 goals and four assists in 42 appearances during his debut season. His performances have improved this term, with the Uruguayan forward directly involved in 31 goals [18G/13A] in 47 games across all competitions.
Gakpo joined Liverpool last season, in the January window, six months after Nunez. The Dutch winger has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter this season, registering 14 goals and four assists in 47 matches. His inconsistent form has mainly been due to a lack of clarity on where to utilise him best.
Here’s what Enrique had to say in a critique of both, Nunez and Gakpo via Grosvenor Sport [The Mirror]:
“Darwin Nunez is simply not at the required level and he never has been.
“He is a good player, I like him a lot and the fans love him, but he isn’t at the level of some of Liverpool’s best forwards from the past. He is a good player but he is not a Liverpool number nine.
“He could play for a lot of top teams in Europe, but he is not good enough for those that are challenging for trophies. Their old front three was one of the world’s best and now this current team only really has two goalscorers – Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota.
“Cody Gakpo is not a goalscorer and he won’t get you 20 goals every season like Sadio Mane and Salah did. Roberto Firmino wasn’t a player to score that many goals, but he gave you so much more outside of that. Darwin Nunez gets a lot of chances but misses them too frequently.”
Enrique also expressed concerns about Liverpool’s current attacking options, suggesting that the team is overly reliant on Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota for goals.
He highlighted the contrasting styles of former forwards like Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, who offered more than just goals to the team.
Enrique’s criticism comes in the wake of Liverpool’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, which saw the Reds miss a host of opportunities to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League. The loss has intensified scrutiny on the team’s attacking options and raised questions about their ability to challenge for silverware.
While Enrique’s assessment may be seen as harsh by some, it underscores the high standards expected at a club of Liverpool’s stature.
As Klopp prepares to depart at the end of the season, the incoming manager will face the challenge of rejuvenating the squad and addressing the perceived shortcomings in attack to restore Liverpool’s title-winning credentials.
In conclusion, while Enrique’s criticism may be seen as a wake-up call for Liverpool, it also highlights the need for introspection and change.
The Reds must find a way to rediscover their attacking prowess and defensive solidity to mount a credible challenge for silverware next season whether it’s through tactical adjustments, personnel changes, or a combination of both.
