It's 'unfair' to judge Darwin Nunez on goals alone! Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders issues passionate defence of £85m man amid poor scoring run

The £85m ($108m) striker has not been on the scoresheet for his club since the beginning of November in a run that now stretches to 10 games. Despite that, Lijnders argues Nunez is playing better than last season, praising the forward's work rate and his adaptation to a different role in the team.

"Darwin is full of desire," said Lijnders ahead of his side's Carabao Cup quarter-final with West Ham. "You see that in each game, and if we would only judge players on the goals, that would be so unfair.

"I feel that there is a good connection between Mo [Salah] and Darwin, for example – the way they see each other, they assist each other. And I feel above everything that Darwin is playing a much better season than last year – the way how he defends for the team, the way how he controls the centre and at the same time puts the press on, the way he goes, the way how he chases back."

Nunez's unique style and entertaining decision making will always draw attention from fans and pundits particularly during a prolonged scoring drought and after drawing a blank. But, at just 24 years old and still adapting to a team that has undergone a summer overhaul, it's understandable that Lijnders has rallied to his striker's defence during his current lean spell.

The packed festive schedule offers plenty of opportunities for Nunez to fire his way out of his current scoring slump, beginning with the Reds' Carabao Cup last-eight tie with West Ham at Anfield on Wednesday night.