Darwin Nunez hoping to 'learn' from Luis Suarez after Uruguay recall

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has said he wants to emulate ex-Reds star Luis Suarez and is hoping to learn from the Uruguay legend on international duty this month.

Suarez, now 36 and playing his club football in Brazil with Gremio following a short stint at Nacional back home, had been left out of every Uruguay squad since the 2022 World Cup until he was recalled for the November qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia.

The veteran didn't get on the pitch in the 2-0 victory over the former last week, but Nunez celebrated with his idol after scoring Uruguay’s late second against their great rivals and neighbours.

"Celebrating with Luis is something very nice and special," Nunez said, via El Pais.

"He is the nine of Uruguay, the one who made history. I always try to follow in his footsteps."

Nunez continued: "Luis is very important for this group that we have. He is a player with a lot of experience that he already had a lot in the national team. It's nice that he is here, that he contributes to the [younger] ones and that we learn from him."

Nunez was just seven years of age when Suarez made his Uruguay debut way back in early 2007. But with 36-year-old Edinson Cavani also not selected since the World Cup and winding down his illustrious career, there is hope that Nunez will pick up the mantle as the country’s next great goalscorer – his strike against Argentina was his sixth in 21 appearances.

His record in front of goal has certainly improved in 2023. Exactly half of his international goals have come in the last three games alone – it's six goal contributions in five appearances for Uruguay since the World Cup – and he will be hoping to make that four in a row against Bolivia overnight.

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