Liverpool great Nicol expressed frustration at unjust criticism thrown at Nunez.
Liverpool icon Steve Nicol expressed strong disapproval of the criticism directed at Darwin Nunez during Sunday's victory over Aston Villa. Nunez, who made his first start of the 2023-24 season, contributed significantly to the 3-0 win over Unai Emery’s Villains at Anfield.
Despite coming close to scoring himself, the Uruguay striker’s first-half shot hit the post and deflected off Aston Villa's Matty Cash, extending Liverpool's lead to 2-0.
Nicol, a prominent figure in Liverpool's successful teams of the 1980s, vehemently defended the 24-year-old on the ESPN FC Podcast, rebuking the commentator's constant disparaging remarks. Nicol argued that the commentator repeatedly questioned Nunez's performance and goal-scoring abilities, causing him to consider smashing his television in frustration. Nicol's message was clear: Nunez deserved a fair assessment and should be spared from undue criticism.
"All he kept saying any time Nunez did something was ‘Well, he got 16 goals last [season], but he could’ve had more’ and ‘Oh, what Nunez have we got this week? Is it going to be the Nunez of last week?’.
"I’m like, 'Leave the guy alone!' Seriously, I felt like smashing the telly. Every five minutes, he was criticising Nunez. Leave the guy alone..."
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