Darwin Nunez Betting Specials 22/23: Can the new Liverpool star hit the ground running?

Darwin Núñez has been one of the stories of the last 18 months, breaking through at Benfica, top scoring in Primeira Liga and finally signing for one of the world's biggest clubs in Liverpool for an initial £64 million . We've analysed the odds on the 23-year-old Uruguayan to win the Premier League Golden Boot, as well as looking at what else he could win and exactly how many goals this talented young star can score this season. Will he flourish.... or flop?

Will Darwin Núñez win the Golden Boot?

Núñez is best priced 16/1 to win the 2023 Golden boot and we'd say that is just about right. In a field containing new Man City star Erling Haaland, as well as the likes of current holders Mo Salah and Son Heung-Min, not to mention the old favourites of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Cristiano Ronaldo (if he's still at Man Utd!), the Uruguayan is an unproven prospect. So why is he so well thought about by so many? Including, most importantly, Jurgen Klopp. Well let's look how he got on last season...

Primeira Liga Golden Boot 2021/22

Ok, the Portuguese Primeira Liga isn't the strongest league in Europe, but let's dig into those numbers a little further. Núñez scored those 26 goals in just 28 games and averaged 1.18 goals every 90 minutes he played -  a phenomenal return. Not only that, but he managed another six in the Champions League, including two against his new club, showing he has the ability to do it at the very highest level. 

How many goals will Darwin Núñez score?

We've established that Núñez knows where the back of the net is but exactly how many times will he achieve that feat this season? Paddy Power/Betfair have priced up odds on him to net 20, 25 and 30 goals in his first Premier League season. If you think that the 23-year-old is going to hit the ground running and will smash in 30+ goals then you can get odds of 40/1. 

However, Liverpool are no one man team and have some ridiculous attacking options at their disposal. Even accounting for the loss of Bayern Munich departee Sadio Mane, Klopp still can count on the aforementioned Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino and has form for rotating his forwards on a regular basis. Núñez should be gradually introduced into his new role, in a new country and you would think that Salah, having signed a shiny new contract would remain the star man.

We personally like the 13/8 available at bet365 for him to score under 15 goals. His predecessor Mane only passed 20 goals once in his Liverpool career, back in 2018/19.

What other awards will Darwin Núñez win?

Unlike fellow new boy Haaland, Núñez has a World Cup to contend with. Uruguay are around the 50/1 mark to win the FIFA World Cup Trophy and their star striker is around the same price to top score at the tournament. Núñez has only scored twice for his country in 11 appearances, but his progression has been rapid over the last year or so. If he starts well for the Reds, he may well end up carrying that form into the showpiece event for the Sky Blues. He's best priced 66/1 to win the Golden Boot with BetVictor. Worth an each-way punt?

There are also some other specials that are quite interesting prospects...

Núñez is 9/4 to top score for Liverpool this season, we've yet to see how Klopp will deploy him in his front line, but if he starts as the central striker, he will get chances galore. 

He's also 13/8 to outscore Erling Haaland. One would think that Haaland should have the edge in that battle but he does have an iffy injury record and should he miss a number of games, It could give Núñez an opportunity in that market. 

However many he manages, It's certainly going to be an intriguing journey for the young man from Artigas and one we are looking forward to watching develop this coming Premier League season.