New Liverpool boss Arne Slot can unlock Darwin Nunez’s potential and turn him into the next Fernando Torres

Former Liverpool star Rickie Lambert has given Darwin Nunez crucial advice that could see him become the next Fernando Torres.

Nunez is a real Marmite at Liverpool, where some appreciate his chaos up front and others just want him to score more goals.

Although the Uruguay international has scored 18 times in all competitions, including 11 in the Premier League, there is undoubtedly talent, but he has been criticized for not scoring enough.

But not everyone has given up hope on the 24-year-old, including ex-Liverpool star Lambert, who believes he could be the club’s next Torres.

Speaking to Alan Brazil and Gabriel Agbonlahor on talkSPORT Breakfast, Lambert said: “I think as a fellow striker I see the potential in him.

“I love him as he is, if he stays as he is, I love him. But I see he is as powerful as Fernando Torres.

“I can see Nunez there, we have to stay with him.

“The next manager (Arne Slot) has to get him on the training pitch and repeat him on shots, from every angle, left foot, right foot.

“Within a few months or a year, those opportunities will manifest themselves. His all-round game is already there.

“He can hold on and he can get in the back. If a top-level player can do that, you can’t let him go.”

“If we let him go, he will undoubtedly grow into a world-class player somewhere else.”

Slot will take over as Liverpool’s next manager this summer, replacing Jurgen Klopp.

One of his first tasks will be to tap into Nunez’s potential and turn him into a world-class striker, something Klopp may have taken the former Benfica star to but has yet to complete.

But Nunez will have his work cut out for him when he’s mentioned in the same breath as Torres, who was one of the most electric strikers in recent Anfield history.

El Nino spent four years at Liverpool, where he scored 81 times in 142 games in all competitions, while it was his pace and skill that also terrified defenders.

Torres forged an almost telepathic connection with Steven Gerrard, with the two combining more often than not – Gerrard assisting Torres 14 times and Torres assisting Gerrard 10 times.

Slot has proven at Feyenoord that he knows how to get the best out of attacking players. His Dutch side are known for their brilliant, forward-thinking style, so Nunez’s future may be in the right hands.