His critics will shut up, here's why Darwin Nunez will be key against Fulham in EFL Cup

With only two league goals scored since 29 October, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez (24, 20 appearances and five Premier League goals this season) is going through another crisis of confidence. "Don't doubt Nunez, everything is fine. Darwin is going to score, there's no doubt about it, look at his assist... Wow, he's being questioned on social media and it's bothering him a little bit," admitted the German. Gary Neville, former Manchester United captain and current Sky Sports commentator in England, was concerned about Salah's loss. He said that thanks to him, Liverpool are top of the Premiership and he doubts that any striker, including Luis Diaz, can take his place and make a difference like the Egyptian does day in, day out.

"A lot of those players have left and have come back for a transition period, like Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz. They're not polished yet, they're not ready. They are not at the peak of their careers like when you start making precise decisions (...) I didn't think Liverpool would be in the title race and I still don't think they will make it. The doubt I have is because of these three players, but we know Klopp is something different as a manager," Neville said on Sky.

Gary Neville, a double World Cup winner with England, sees Liverpool's right flank as weak. He believes there is no striker who can replace Salah there. Lucho Diaz, Jota, Nunez and Gakpo move better on the left or in the centre of attack.

Darwin must stand out

"A lot of Liverpool's strikers are right-sided, they do well on the left: Jota, Nunez, Diaz, Gakpo. But none of them seem to have the right balance on the right. Harvey Elliott, being left-footed, could do it, but he's more of a midfielder. He probably lacks the pace to play in that attacking trident, but maybe he can do it (...) The truth is you can't replace Salah's goals," said Neville. Finally, the former England full-back (48) added that Diaz and Co. have "electricity" in their play, but he senses "frustration" in them not having the effectiveness that Salah does with the goal. "They have to hang in there to give Mohamed a chance to come back and have a real title challenge.