Nunez unfit to fill Mane’s boot-Hasselbaink

Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has brutally snubbed Darwin Nunez while criticising Liverpool for failing to replace Senegal legend Sadio Mane in the summer.

Nunez has divided opinions during his start to life in England as he's had daunting boots to fill after Mane's sudden exit.

Mane ended his six-year stint at Liverpool by completing a £35million move to Bayern Munich in June.

In response, Jurgen Klopp sanctioned a club-record £85m deal for Nunez after a stellar campaign at Benfica, fending off rival interest from Manchester United.

However, Mane's absence has been felt during a problematic start to the season, in which Nunez has been made somewhat of a scapegoat.

Liverpool sit in ninth after losing four of their opening 12 Premier League games, with the Uruguayan's presence prompting Klopp to experiment away from the 4-3-3 that became traditional when Mane was at the club.

Despite netting seven goals in his first 15 Liverpool appearances, high-profile chances Nunez has squandered have overshadowed his positive start at the club.

And speaking exclusively to Express Sport, with Grosvenor Casinos, Hasselbaink indicated he's struggling to live up to Mane's standards after being recruited as his replacement.