'Give me Nunez over Martial any day' - Liverpool striker defended in rant

That is the view of ex-Chelsea star and talkSPORT host Andy Townsend, who believes the Uruguay international is a midfielder's dream centre-forward.

An £85million signing from Benfica last summer, the 24-year-old has flattered to deceive in terms of his goal return.

Scoring just nine Premier League goals in his opening campaign in England, he has found the back of the net just four times in 16 top-flight outings this term.

He is without a league goal since October 29, with his poor finishing on show in recent weeks to draw criticism from fans and pundits.

But Townsend isn't worried about his form, insisting his work rate makes him stand out amongst other stuttering strikers - namely Manchester United's Martial.

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Speaking about Nunez on the talkSPORT Breakfast show, Townsend said: "I like him. I'm happy to go out there and say it.

"And I know there people will be people saying, 'Hold on, look at his numbers'.

"Your numbers are everything as a striker, but you know what? Give me him over some of the other lot - like Anthony Martial - who stands around doing nothing.

"Darwin Nunez is permanently on the move, he's running 100mph everywhere, yes he misses a lot of chances..."

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Interjecting, co-host Ally McCoist stated: "You know something Andy?

"If he can just calm down a little bit, that split second before he finishes, and just gives himself the split second of time that separates the top finishers from the other ones...

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"Because you're right! His work rate, his willingness to run, he's a physical unit, he's quick enough."

Townsend then concluded by remarking: "But when he runs, as a midfield player, when you've got a striker who is running hard and genuinely really going flat out.

"And that's the thing with him, he doesn't go half-hearted and turns round looking at you as you chip the ball over his head.

"He puts his head down and goes properly to give you half-a-chance to find him, or to provide something for him."

Nunez will be hoping to end his two-month wait for a goal in Liverpool's clash against table-toppers Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday.