Luis Suarez has congratulated fellow Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez on his move to Liverpool and has backed the former Benfica frontman to beat his goal tally for the Reds.
The Merseysiders confirmed the capture of the 22-year-old – who netted 26 league goals last season in just 28 appearances – earlier this week in a deal that could reach as much as £85million after various bonuses and add-ons.
Nunez follows in the footsteps of countrymen Suarez and Sebastian Coates, both of whom wore the No.27 shirt – the same jersey number the young striker has now picked.
Suarez’s legacy at Anfield played a role in Nunez’s decision to move to Liverpool, with the 35-year-old having netted 82 goals in 133 appearances for the Reds after signing from Ajax in 2011.
But the older Uruguayan does not believe his goal record will be safe for long and has backed Nunez to better his figures, sending his international team-mate a message on social media after the transfer was confirmed.
Replying to a post of Nunez drinking mate which he had captioned ‘Forever Uruguayan’, Suarez wrote: ‘I was the first one too! But I hope you come first in GOALS. Hug!!’
Suarez has been championing his compatriot for some time and recommended Nunez to Barcelona when he was just a teenager, though the Catalan giants did not act on his tip.
Speaking to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero on his Twitch channel, Suarez recalled: ‘I recommended Darwin to Barcelona when he was at Almeria. I have 15 years of international experience. I know a thing or two about forwards.
‘I told them, “Pay attention to this one, he’s very good, he shows interesting things”. They told me he was at Almeria and that he was too young. But instead of paying now €80m, €90m or €100m, they would’ve paid €15m or €20m and have him there as a substitute.’
In his unveiling interview, Nunez revealed he would reach out to Suarez to get some advice about playing at Anfield, saying: ‘I’ve not had a chance to be in touch with him just yet. But I’m sure when everything comes out on social media, I’ll give him a call or I’ll send him a photo that I’ve taken where he’s there in the background in a picture.
‘I’ll send that to him and we’ll have a bit of a chat and I’ll ask him lots of questions so he can offer his support and help because he’s a real reference to me because he’s a Uruguayan footballer who made history at Liverpool. But, for sure, I’ll get the opportunity soon to call him and have a chat with him.’
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