Daniel Sturridge names three Liverpool legends Darwin Nuñez should call to improve finishing

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has given his analysis of what 'defender's nightmare' Darwin Nuñez needs to do in order to improve his finishing.

The 24-year-old Uruguayan endured something of a mixed first season at Liverpool, following his big-money move from Benfica in the summer of 2022.

Despite still scoring 15 in all competitions, Nuñez struggled with consistency and largely spent the second half of the Reds' disappointing campaign playing second fiddle to January arrival Cody Gakpo.

However, after being handed the number nine shirt vacated by Roberto Firmino over the summer, Nuñez has hit the ground running in 2023/24, scoring seven times and registering four assists in 15 outings.

Jurgen Klopp has claimed that the Uruguayan is more settled after a turbulent first year, while adding that he is 'afraid' of just how much potential his star forward has.

While Nuñez's overall game has unquestionably gone up a level, he has still drawn criticism for his occasionally erratic finishing.

On Sunday, Nuñez registered a league-high nine shots in Liverpool's 1-1 draw at Luton, failing to net any of his chances in a frustrating afternoon.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher tells Darwin Nuñez he must make one change 

Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Sturridge – who scored 67 times for Liverpool between 2012 and 2019 – backed the Reds' number nine to get more clinical with time.

He said: "He’s an exciting player to watch and I think he is a defender's nightmare. Of course one of the things that he has to improve on is his finishing and that will come with time. But I think in terms of the type of player he is, he is going to get a lot of opportunities in games based on the runs he makes."

Sturridge also advised Nuñez to learn from other forwards in order to improve his composure, adding: "It's down to him and the coaches. Over time he will be able to improve his finishing. I remember when I was at Chelsea and [Carlo] Ancelotti told me: 'Daniel, here is a DVD of [Filippo] Inzaghi. You don't run in behind often. Watch this DVD.' I remember after that I scored one goal in the Champions League a few weeks later and he was like: 'That's what I'm talking about. You made the run.'

"In terms of Darwin, he needs to be coached, he needs to do training sessions where he is making those runs at pace - and practicing particular types of finishes when he's doing it at match tempo. It does seem like he's not being composed and relaxing. He is smashing the leather off the ball sometimes.

"The Newcastle goals are a prime example. He's got that in his locker - whipping it across the goalkeeper on the other side. It's being relaxed and calm. Andy Cole used to say - caress the ball in the back of the net."

34-year-old Sturridge suggested Nuñez even pick up the phone to several Liverpool legends in order to help analyse and advance his game.

He said: "It comes with analysing yourself first. Your shots. Looking and being critical of yourself. Then analysing other players. Why are they scoring? What are they doing different? You can ask some of the legends. I'm sure [Luis] Suarez would speak to him. Fernando Torres.

"The phone is open. He's got Ian Rush in Liverpool where he can have conversations and learn about different types of finishes. I analysed so many guys. My finishing could have improved even more. No striker has every tool - but it's about trying to have as many as you can. So when it comes to the moments, you can do damn near any of the finishes you want to do."