Jamie Carragher has slammed Darwin Nunez’s “unforgivable miss” in the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes suffered a major blow on Wednesday night as they lost 2-0 to rivals Everton. The stunning result came courtesy of goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a night where the Reds were comfortably outfought.
The Toffees dominated Jurgen Klopp’s men and were rewarded in the 27th minute as Branthwaite’s effort slipped in underneath Alisson Becker. But Liverpool had a golden opportunity to equalise on the stroke of half-time, which Nunez missed.
READ MORE: Four things Jurgen Klopp got wrong as Liverpool loss at Everton dents Prem title hopes
READ MORE: Gary Neville left grimacing at Everton injury which Sky Sports cameras refused to show
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It was one of 30 big chances squandered by the Uruguayan this season alone, the highest tally in the league, and Liverpool soon lost their momentum before finding themselves two goals down. And Sky Sports pundit Carragher did not mince his words when addressing the No9’s erratic finishing at full-time.
The former Reds captain said, via the Mirror: "The chance that Nunez misses before half-time, that is unforgivable at this level. That is not acceptable at this level, certainly when Liverpool are going for the title.”
Carragher even suggested that after two years in Liverpool colours and 33 goals in 92 appearances, it might be time for the club to part ways with the former Benfica striker as soon as this summer.
"I think there is a question to ask," he added. "You want him to do well because there is so much that you like because he gives everything, he runs and causes trouble and gets the odd goal and gets an assist.
"But after two years when Liverpool this season are going to the title and those big games, you need your man to score away at Old Trafford, away at Goodison, in the European game at Atalanta. There is no time to waste, this is not October or November. This is the business end.
"In terms of Nunez and where the club go forward now, we have all been in squads where someone comes in and maybe you talk about the first year and maybe say, okay he's getting up to speed with and he's improving, and it looked like he was at the start of the season. But it has ground to a halt.
"You are looking at it now and after two years, I don't think there is going to be a massive improvement in him. What we have seen in the last two years is what he is.
"He can cause trouble, he can be erratic with his finishing. I don't think it is going to be enough to win you the biggest trophies so I think there is a big decision to be made on him in the summer.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was similarly dejected after the loss, saying: "Very disappointed in so many ways. Everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performance and think if they gave everything.
"Do they really want to win the league? If you play like this overall in the game and not win any challenges and give the referee an opportunity to give a free-kick away then we have no chance to win the title. We have to do much better."
