"Come off it!" Peterborough chairman claims Liverpool should have signed £31.5M striker instead of Darwin Nunez

Peterborough chairman and Liverpool fan Darragh MacAnthony claims Liverpool should have looked towards Brentford's Ivan Toney forward instead of Darwin Nunez this summer.

The Reds signed Nunez for a whopping £85M earlier this summer and it's safe to say his start on Merseyside has been a mixed bag.

Whilst he has been there since before the pre-season began, the red card suffered against Crystal Palace has meant his opening few games as a Liverpool player have been somewhat distorted so far.

Given their poor start to the season, the pressure has ramped up on the player even despite it only being early September. Whilst down in London, Toney has made a great start to this season proving he could easily be at a top club - but should that club have been Liverpool?

Darragh MacAnthony's comments on Toney and Nunez

The Peterborough chairman is a big Liverpool fan and discussed whether Nunez was indeed the right option for Liverpool, when Toney was a ready-made replacement.

"Let me ask you the next question. Darwin Nunez, £85 million, 23, Ivan Toney, 26. Who is the better number nine? Nunez might have a hell of a career, he might do really well for Liverpool, Liverpool like to be direct – let’s not joke Liverpool are a direct football team, all of our goals come from full-backs and crosses.

"We are a little direct and it suits us, there’s nothing wrong with that. You’re telling me an Ivan Toney in Liverpool’s team wouldn’t score 25 goals with those full-backs delivering. Come off it!"

He was the man who sold Toney to Brentford and even back in 2021, he was backing the 26-year-old to make the move to Anfield.

Toney's terrific start this season

His five goals and two assists included a hattrick against Leeds which saw him bag a trademark penalty, a powerfully placed free-kick and an audacious chip from distance.

To play Devil's advocate, his ability in the air, link-up play and set-piece abilities would have been perfect at Liverpool - especially given the delivery from out wide. It's very likely he will be at a top club within the next two seasons, but will Liverpool pay the price for not signing him? Only time will tell.