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Darwin Nunez was supposed to be a pivot away from that after joining from Benfica in 2022, but the penny never quite dropped with the Uruguayan, who has left to join Saudi side Al Hilal.

In his place has come Hugo Ekitike.



And after the Frenchman scored on his Premier League debut to make it two goals in two appearances, former striker Tony Cascarino highlighted a big difference between Ekitike and Nunez.

Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

In a very ironic twist of fate, Ekitike has actually followed in Nunez’s footsteps in his start to life at Liverpool.

The 23-year-old became only the second player in Liverpool history to score and assist on his Premier League debut for the club.

Darwin Nunez.

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Funnily, Ekitike also scored on his debut in the Community Shield, just like Nunez.

“You look at them as two players and immediately he’s had some one on ones, he’s got in some good positions, he slotted it in the corner in the Charity Shield, a great finish.”

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“Nunez had periods where he could do that, but I think what you’re seeing is a much more clinical version of what a striker should be if you’re playing for a club like Liverpool.

“He’s got that quite clearly in his game, whereas I was never convinced that Darwin Nunez did.”

It is true that Nunez also had a very good start to his Liverpool career in 2022, but it all unravelled after a moment of madness on his third game for the club.

After scoring against Man City and bagging two goal contributions at Fulham, there was plenty of anticipation for Nunez’s Anfield debut.

Unfortunately, the No.

9 only lasted 57 minutes, as he headbutted Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen to get himself a deserved red card.

It was the last thing Nunez’s Liverpool career needed and he arguably never fully recovered from that moment.

For Ekitike, he must learn from Nunez’s downfall and ensure he does not befall the same fate.