Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez

Darwin Nunez was once again subject to immense criticism from fans and pundits as he dropped a stinker against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Round of 16. Defending champions Liverpool were knocked out by Guardiola’s City in an action-packed 3-2 win. However, the scoreline could have been a lot different, had Nunez scored at least one of his four clear-chances he missed.

His another disappointing display led to a number of comparisons, among which one was with legendary Manchester United striker Andrew Cole. The now retired striker plied his trade for the Red Devils between 1995 and 2002, netting 121 goals across 245 appearances in all competitions. However, a comparison with Darwin Nunez here didn’t go down well with the 51-year-old, who schooled a Liverpool reporter @DaveOCKOP in a Twitter exchange.

Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez once again drew the ire of Liverpool fans after missing a number of glaring chances against Man City in the Carabao Cup. Credits: Twitter

Cole takes Darwin Nunez comparisons by the horns

Andy Cole is regarded as one of the greatest strikers the Premier League has witnessed, having scored 187 goals in the English top flight across spells with Man United, Newcastle, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Manchester City, Fulham and Portsmouth, which has him sitting fourth on the all-time top scorers’ list. He retired with 5 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, 1 Champions League and a Carabao Cup.

However, a comparison to Darwin Nunez, who arrived at Liverpool this summer from Benfica and has had enjoyed a mixed campaign, irked the former player. Nunez’s tendency to miss point-blank chances, but somehow manage to get on the scoresheet was being likened to Cole’s playing style by @DaveOCKOP, to which the five-time Premier League champion replied in style by listing down his achievements. Cole wrote:

“Cole .., Nunez… not sure we’re this nonsense started !!! But it’s Christmas the festival season… I am happily retired…. 5.PL 2 FA cups . 1 league cup. 1 champion league.. gold boot YPOTY. 187 premier league goals . 1 pen. Life is what you make it.”

@DaveOCKOP was quick to clear the confusion as he termed his comparison a ‘poorly worded’ and that he did not intend to disrespect him. However, it was too little too late as Cole had taken it to the heart and wasn’t at all pleased with the explanation-cum-apology. @DaveOCKOP tweeted in his response:

“Hi Andy. Worded original tweet poorly. You were a top player, should have worded original better. More of a tweet to back Nunez than anything. Please see follow up. [Most 3 big chances missed last season. 1. Kane. 2. Son. 3. Salah]. The best 3 strikers.”

However, the issue had already escalated with Cole, who right away issued another blunt response:

“Sorry Dave worded wrongly or rightly…. People need to stop disrespecting my name… because I don’t play the game, just a quiet guy getting on with life people think they can disrespect me. Look at the numbers and compare them to anyone else …”

It seems the Liverpool fan poked a sleeping giant and had to face the wrath as well. Darwin Nunez is just starting in the Premier League, with so far a low-key season having scored a mere 5 goals in 10 games. Whereas Cole is an accomplished Premier League striker with his 187 goals yielding five league titles for Manchester United. Nunez will be looking to turnaround in his slow start to the season with Liverpool in the second-half of the season, as Klopp will need his record signing firing on all cylinders for fixtures coming thick and fast.