Darwin Núñez will become a star of the Premier League, according to former Liverpool striker Michael Owen.

But Owen reckons Mo Salah needs to leave Merseyside in order for Núñez to truly shine.

The Uruguayan joined Liverpool in the summer of 2022 for a deal worth up to £85 million, but he hasn’t been able to light up the league in the way many fans predicted.

Núñez has scored ten goals in all competitions this season, with seven of those coming in the Premier League.

But Owen thinks the pressure will be taken off Núñez once starman Salah leaves Liverpool.

He said: “Núñez is a player that has divided opinion. I think he’s very raw in some of his play, but I also think he’s exceptional in some of his play.

Nunez has seven Premier League goals so far this seasonCredit: Getty

Owen continued: “When you think of Liverpool for the future, it’s obviously not going to be with [Mohamed] Salah forever so somebody’s going to have to step up, or they’re going to have to replace him with someone that’s going to try and replace his goals.

“This guy [Núñez] is probably the one guy in the team that’s got the scope to be able to do that, I see him developing into an absolute force in the Premier League.

“I still think he could go the other way, I still think he’s not the full package yet, but he does things that absolutely blow your mind.

Michael Owen thinks Núñez is destined for the top

“He’s so strong, he’s so direct, he’s so quick and he’s got so much ability, if he can just brush up in certain areas he could be the real deal.”