Suarez: "We don't need me because we've got Darwin!"

Darwin Nunez has found his shooting boots! The Liverpool forward, who has been criticised for missing several unmissable chances for the Reds over the past year has no such problems when he plays for his country. His produced a stellar performance in Uruguay's World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia, where he netted twice in a 3-0 victory. Nunez's impressive display further solidified his reputation as a formidable striker, having scored five goals in six appearances, making him the leading scorer in South American qualifying.

Notably, Nunez's exceptional form and recent brace came despite being chosen to start over veteran striker Luis Suarez, who entered the game from the bench. Suarez, widely recognised for his goal-scoring prowess and experience, lauded Nunez, praising him as "one of the best number nines in the world." This declaration from Suarez underscores the younger striker's growing influence and talent, showcasing his potential to become one of the best.

"I have one of the best number nines in the world ahead of me. We have to support him and enjoy him. Today, I'm in another role than before, and I'm happy to be here helping the group."

The 36-year-old Suarez has been his national team's focal point for over a decade, but it's time for the younger guns to take over the burden. If Nunez continues to score goals regularly, the proud Uruguayans will have an idol for years to come.

The recently-appointed Uruguay coach, Marcelo Bielsa, remains cautious, however. The team has improved after a disappointing outing at the 2022 World Cup, but there's a long way to go. Despite their recent victories, the former Leeds United coach believes that becoming better than the likes of Argentina and Brazil requires a more sustained and well-established development process. The Argentinean acknowledges the team's ups and downs during their match against Bolivia but commends their overall performance across the recent international break. Uruguay currently sits with 13 points from six games, positioning them just behind Argentina in the standings, indicating an upward trajectory for the team's form and confidence under Bielsa's management.

Next up for Nunez is a top-of-the-table Premier League clash, with Liverpool facing Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The short turnaround after the South American internationals has frustrated Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, with both teams given limited time with some stars after their return on long-haul flights.

"There could have been a moment when you have these two teams who have, all together, about 30 international players. They all come back on the same plane by the way, all the South American players. They all fly back. We put them on the plane from Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia. We just have to make sure we're ready for this game."

Will the long flight back to England affect the South American stars? We'll find out on Saturday afternoon.