Micah Richards has claimed that comparisons between Liverpool's Darwin Nunez and Manchester City's Erling Haaland were never going to be realistic.
Initial signs looked to be promising for the Reds' Uruguayan forward as he came off the bench to make a huge impact against City in the Community Shield, while Haaland endured a frustrating outing at the King Power Stadium. However, Haaland was soon able to dust himself off and has started the season incredibly.
His 14 goals in just 10 competitive appearances for the Blues have pushed City up to second in the Premier League table. Nunez, meanwhile, has netted just once in three domestic fixtures so far this campaign.
Nunez was banned for three matches earlier in the season after headbutting Joachim Andersen in a stalemate with Crystal Palace. Writing for the Daily Mail, ex-City defender Richards claimed that comparing the two strikers was always going to be difficult.
"People tried to make a battle between Haaland and Darwin Nunez, but I don’t think that was ever realistic," Richards explained. "Nunez — who is much better than he has shown so far, believe me — needs time at Liverpool but Haaland is going places quicker than any of us could have imagined."
City's talisman will have another opportunity to impress the fans when he lines up in his first Manchester derby on Sunday.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com