“They’ll have to rely on" - Paul Merson on who needs to fire for Liverpool

Pundit Paul Merson believes that new-boy Darwin Nunez will have to hit the ground running if last season's runners-up Liverpool are to challenge for the 2022-23 Premier League title.

The forward arrives at Anfield with a solid reputation. Nunez found the back of the net 34 times in 41 appearances for Benfica last campaign.

With Sadio Mane joining Bayern Munich this summer, Merson thinks that Liverpool's title hopes could hinge on how Nunez performs next season.

He wrote in SportsKeeda: “The only worry for Liverpool, on the other hand, is that they’ve lost an unbelievable player in Sadio Mane, who scored big goals for them over the years.

“They’ll have to rely on Darwin Nunez to settle as quickly as Luis Diaz did, which is obviously a long shot because the Colombian took to English football like a duck to water.

“If Jurgen Klopp can get Nunez firing immediately, it’ll be tight once again, but if that doesn’t happen, I think Manchester City should win the Premier League.”

Anfield Watch Verdict

Mane scored 23 goals and secured five assists in 51 appearances for Liverpool's first-team last season.

Therefore, there is a bit of pressure on Nunez, especially when you factor in that the Reds paid €100 million to secure his signature.

The 23-year-old might need a bit of time to adjust to a new league and culture. But, we are confident that Nunez will prove to be a good signing in the long-term.

Liverpool have a superb track record in developing strikers. Also, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is a world-class manager.

The German will take Nunez down the right path. We wish the youngster all the best ahead of the new season.