Rafa Benitez compares Darwin Nunez to Liverpool legend after scoring against Newcastle

Rafa Benitez has compared Darwin Nunez to Fernando Torres after the Uruguayan found back of the net against Newcastle on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old striker found the net to help Liverpool complete a 2-0 victory at St James’ Park. The result could prove crucial come the end of the campaign, as it leaves the Reds eighth in the Premier League standings – six points behind Magpies in fourth with a game in hand,

Nunez has faced criticism since his £85million move from Portuguese giants Benfica last summer followign  to the team’s poor form and his modest record – founding back of the net 11 times this campaign. Yet Benitez, who coached the Reds between 2004 and 2010, is a fan of Jurgen Klopp’s expensive forward.

“I will tell you my feeling,” Benitez told Sky Sports. “You are watching the game and saying great runs, not that great finisher, don’t be worried. As a manager you are really worried because you can see him in front of the ‘keeper all of the time, and he can do that.

“He has the pace to run in behind, and he is a threat. After he will score more or less goals, but he is a threat, so for you as a manager it is someone you have to worry about and talk with your defenders about that. He is a threat.”

Benitez believes Nunez is similar to forward-Liverpool striker Torres, who arrived on Merseyside back in July 2007. Torres was prolific during his three-and-a-half campaigns at Anfield, founding back of the net 81 times in 142 appearances before a controversial move to Chelsea in January 2011.

Benitez added: “Fernando, one of the issues at the beginning was that – he was not a great finisher.

“Little by little, because he was in front of the ‘keeper so many times, he could have more time and more composure, I would put the ball here or there but at the beginning he was great as a player, but here in England because the defenders are wider and stronger, in the space he was killing them and having more chances.”