Former Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique has criticized forwards Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, stating that neither player is capable of performing at the level required for teams competing for trophies. Nunez, who joined Liverpool from Benfica in June 2022, has been the subject of criticism for missing important scoring opportunities.

Despite this, he finished his first season with 15 goals and four assists in 42 matches, and has improved on these numbers in the current season with 31 goal contributions in 47 games. Gakpo, who arrived at Liverpool during a period of injury setbacks, has been praised by Enrique, but the former player believes he is not at the level of some of Liverpool’s past top forwards and may not be suitable for a number nine role.

Enrique also made unfavorable comparisons, suggesting that while Roberto Firmino may not have been a prolific goal scorer, he offered more to the team, unlike Nunez, who misses scoring opportunities too frequently. The critique comes in the wake of Liverpool missing the chance to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League due to a pattern of squandered opportunities.