Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Darwin Nunez training ground humiliation brings out Andy Carroll apology

Footage of Darwin Nunez blazing an effort high and wide during Uruguay training has sparked ridicule towards the Liverpool striker on social media.

Given the huge amount of money the Reds forked out on the forward to sign him from Benfica - £85million if add-ons are met - the pressure was immediately on Nunez to deliver, but as of yet he has fallen short. The latest footage, filmed while away on international duty, is another low in what has been a tough month for the 23-year-old.

The video in question shows Nunez charging into one of his teammates in what surely would have been deemed a foul in a real game, before shifting the ball on to his right-foot as he readies himself and takes aim.

Despite the fact he has barely anyone around him, Nunez manages to slice his effort horribly high and wide of the goal. The strike was so wayward the camera picks up the goalkeeper actually leaving his goal to try and retrieve the ball before it goes too far.

All the Anfield star could do in response was bow his head and show his frustration with the feeble attempt. The response from both Liverpool and rival fans saw many insisting the comparisons between Nunez and Manchester City star Erling Haaland when he first signed were way off the mark.

Ahead of his Premier League debut, pundits and fans alike were creating a narrative that tipped Nunez to go head-to-head with City's fellow summer signing Haaland. The pair were expected to push each other right to the wire for the golden boot as their respective teams battled it out for the title.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Nunez go on to be a successful signing for Liverpool? Comment below

It hasn't exactly played out like that. While Haaland has netted a frankly absurd tally of 11 goals in seven Premier League games, Nunez has just one to his name in contrast.

The jokes online at Nunez's expense ranged from: "How did he make it pro?" to "This looks like golf, trying to get it to the flag" in reference to the fact his effort ended up far nearer the corner flag than the intended target of the goal.

One rather brutally wrote: "All Liverpool fans worldwide should pick a venue to collectively apologize to the rest of the world for ever comparing this guy to Haaland."

Perhaps the most scathing put down was the user who added: "I'm here to say sorry Andy Carroll for ever comparing you to this guy it was too harsh."

Carroll, of course, endured a particularly miserable spell of his own at Anfield after being purchased for a club record fee of £35m from Newcastle United in January 2011.

Nunez has only featured three times this term, after being suspended for the other half of the Reds first six games due to a red card he recieved on match-day two against Crystal Palace. He was shown a straight red for a headbutt on Eagles defender Joachim Andersen.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.