Luis Suarez was effusive in his praise of in-form Uruguay team-mate Darwin Nunez after the forward’s starring performance on Tuesday night.
Nunez scored twice as La Celeste brushed aside Bolivia in a 3-0 win at Centenario in South American World Cup qualifying.
The fixture marked Suarez’s 137th international cap – the second most for the nation. While Nunez joined the 36-year-old in an exclusive group of just three Uruguayans to score in four consecutive World Cup qualifiers.
Post-match Suarez lauded the ability of the forward who is sure to inherit his No 9 jersey when he retires and fittingly came off for the former Liverpool and Barcelona star when he was introduced in the 73rd minute.
‘I have one of the best No 9s in the world ahead of me,’ he said. ‘We have to support him and enjoy him. Today I am in another role [than before] and I am happy to be here helping the group.’
Luis Suarez (left) called Darwin Nunez one of the best No 9s in the world and insisted he was happy with his new role supporting the starters in Marcelo Bielsa’s side
Nunez’s brace took his tally for Uruguay in World Cup qualifying to five goals in six games
Liverpool fans were quick to react to the comments on social media, with some urging Nunez to heed the advice of the former Liverpool star
Liverpool fans were quick to react on social media to the praise mooted out by their former hero to a current star, with several imploring Suarez to impart his wisdom on the talented yet unrefined Nunez.
‘Luis, [keep] sharing your knowledge to Darwin Nunez and hope he will follow your guidance and be successful at [Liverpool],’ one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another said: ‘Hopefully he can replicate what he’s done in Uruguay for Liverpool.’
‘He knows ball,’ wrote another supporter, while one fan simply posted two goat emojis separated by a handshake.
After a frustrating debut campaign, Nunez has shown vast improvements and has begun to show the talent that prompted the Reds to shell out a club-record £85million fee for his services in 2022.
The 24-year-old remains erratic at times and has spurned a couple of notable opportunities this season but his record of 20 goal contributions in 23 games puts him among the most productive footballers in the world.
Nunez’s goals on Tuesday took him to the top of the goalscoring charts in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
Liverpool fans will hope the forward can take his form into the marquee clash against Manchester City when the Premier League returns this Saturday lunchtime.
