Rafael Benitez compares Liverpool's Darwin Nunez to Fernando Torres

September 30, 2024

Rafael Benitez has praised Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez whilst comparing him to former Reds hitman Fernando Torres.

Benitez was speaking to Sky Sports (18/02, 7:50pm), shortly after Liverpool had beaten Newcastle United 2-0 at St James’ Park.

Nunez got the scoring started for Liverpool with a powerful finish before Cody Gakpo added number two.

That’s a first Premier League goal since November for Nunez and one that will hopefully give him confidence moving forward.

Benitez certainly sees enough positives in Nunez and moved to hail the Uruguayan after the full-time whistle.

The Spaniard admitted that, as a manager you would be ‘really worried’ watching Nunez against you because he can make so many runs in behind.

Benitez also made a comparison to former Reds goal machine Fernando Torres, believing he had similar problems to Nunez in terms of finding the final finish.

“After he finished and scored a great goal, [the] manager will be happy,” said Benitez, as quoted by Empire of the Kop. “My feeling is you are watching the game – as a manager you are really worried. He has the pace to do that and run in behind. For you as a manager he is someone you have to worry about then he will finish.”

“When Fernando Torres first came to Liverpool, he struggled with putting chances away – he was a great player but he wasn’t a great finisher. We worked with him and in time he became the Fernando we knew,” he added.

Darwin Nunez comparison to Fernando Torres does make sense

Benitez would know more about Torres than us – he worked with him every day at Liverpool for three years.

Benitez hardly needs our approval on this comparison but it does seem to add up.

Torres scored six goals in his first 14 games at Liverpool but it could have been more.

By the end of the season, Torres was smashing goals in left, right and centre, finishing the campaign with 24 goals in the Premier League.

It’s a big ask for Nunez to finish the season in that kind of form but you just never know when a hot streak is going to arrive.

Nunez can terrify defenders with his pace just like Torres did but to really follow the same trajectory, he must add more goals and more composure.

Nunez will hopefully develop with time but Liverpool will be looking for more goals after Saturday’s strike.