Two years on from his record-breaking transfer to Anfield, Darwin Nunez nonetheless splits opinion on the most important query of all; ‘is he ok to be at Liverpool?’
There are two colleges of thought on this, with seemingly no center floor. You’re both within the ‘Nunez affords extra than simply targets’ camp, otherwise you’re on workforce ‘get rid’.
He’s joined a listing of Liverpool gamers that features Alberto Moreno, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson; love or loath, criticise or crave.
The 2022/23 season’s assessment of the ahead ended with a thought for the marketing campaign we’ve simply witnessed; ‘he wouldn’t be first selection, leaving him with a degree to show’, however 12 months on has something modified?
As soon as once more Nunez has proven what he can contribute to this Liverpool aspect however concurrently has raised questions on what occurs subsequent – not one of the best assertion to be made two years operating, however it’s one that continues to be as legitimate now because it did then.
Began: 33 (All competitions)
On as an alternative: 21
Objectives: 18
Assists: 13
The great, the dangerous and the weird
It was no actual shock to see Liverpool begin the season away at Chelsea with a entrance three of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah.
The Uruguayan was introduced on after 66 minutes and contributed to the ultimate moments of the sport with two blocked pictures taken from outdoors the realm.
He’d supplied little in opposition to a Chelsea aspect that have been surprisingly dreadful – a 1-1 draw which, with hindsight, gave a day one indication into Liverpool’s season-long points, too many missed alternatives.
Jurgen Klopp determined to maintain him on the bench for the following two video games. 4 minutes of motion adopted in opposition to Bournemouth then seven days later, at St James’ Park with Liverpool trailing 1-0, Nunez was thrown on with 13 minutes left.
What adopted was merely unbelievable. The accuracy and energy from 15 yards to fireside the ball previous a scrambling Nick Pope introduced Liverpool degree with 9 minutes left.
Extremely Nunez then scored an nearly an identical aim deep into added time. The ahead had come off the bench to ship a match-winning efficiency. His first strike had an xG of 0.07 whereas his second got here in at 0.36.
The criticism of his debut season appeared to be emphatically answered, it’s what everybody needed to see – energy, want and pin-point accuracy, every part a centre-forward ought to be.
Sadly, in his subsequent 15 league video games he solely discovered the again of the following thrice. In Europe he faired a bit of higher, however it was the Europa League, a contest Liverpool have been anticipated to win.
As 2023 ended, the conversations across the 24-year-old have been precisely the identical, may he be trusted to hold the burden of expectation, may Liverpool stay prime till Could?
Into the brand new yr
As 2024 began, Nunez seemed once more to reply critics. Two exceptionally well-taken targets in opposition to Bournemouth have been adopted in fast succession with an extra three in three.
The Reds have been prime and in a title combat, however as March become April Liverpool’s wheels got here off and Darwin was one of many failing nuts that derailed a potential glut of trophies.
A Merseyside Derby defeat to Everton ended Liverpool’s lifelike likelihood of choosing up a last Premier League title beneath Klopp. The Nunez on present that evening displayed all of the traits that include a participant not proper for the membership.
Snap pictures, poor accuracy, horrible resolution making – dangerous sufficient for those who’ve obtained only one, however to have all three and never for the primary time, was a step too far for a lot of.
He seemed and acted as pissed off as these watching his efficiency.
His season stats confirmed a 63% shot accuracy, he may discover the goal however 11 targets from 108 pictures, 83 contained in the field, informed their very own story. When it got here to the enterprise finish, Nunez was discovered wanting.
A ahead on hearth makes all of the distinction. One who fails to make the distinction brings nothing however questions.
The Uruguayan missed 27 massive probabilities in response to Opta, second solely to Erling Haaland who missed 34, crucially although the Norwegian discovered the online 27 instances in profitable the Golden Boot.
Nunez completed the Premier League season nineteenth for prime scorers, his tally of 11 placing him within the firm of attacking midfielders and conventional wingers.
Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wooden notched 14, whereas ex-Purple Dominic Solanke hit 19.
Liverpool’s costliest striker had failed to search out the online persistently or convincingly. Had this been totally different, the solitary League Cup could have been surrounded by a couple of extra pots of silver.
The longer term
It was evident that beneath Klopp Nunez was third selection and, had the charismatic German not left Anfield, then the exit door could have been opened this summer time for the ex-Benfica participant.
As it’s, new head coach Arne Slot is claimed to see the No.9 as ‘crucial to his plans. This will have purchased the ahead another yr to show his value however the strain can be on from the primary whistle.
Can Slot get out of Nunez what Klopp couldn’t? Might the brand new Liverpool period start with the Uruguayan realising his type of 2021/22?
It stays the one season by which he excelled, with 26 targets and 4 assists from 28 Liga Portugal matches. It’s the kind of return for which a ahead at Liverpool is required and anticipated to ship.
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes could have been watching with eager eyes simply how Nunez has carried out of late. His fox within the field model hat-trick for Uruguay final week could have given the brand new Liverpool hierarchy one thing to look ahead to.
It may have come at simply the appropriate time, as a result of Nunez would nonetheless demand an honest payment on the European market, offering funds which may very well be used to bolster Liverpool in different areas.
One factor is for positive, August to November will set the trail for Liverpool and Nunez’s future collectively. A poor begin to the season could sign a departure for the £85 million signing.
Greatest second: His match-winning brace at Newcastle ought to be the kind of factor we see week in, week out, as ought to his placement of targets witnessed in opposition to Bournemouth.
Worst second: Too many massive probabilities missed to selected from, however you’ll discover no worse instance of scientific ending than that seen in opposition to Everton.
Position subsequent season: Slot’s arrival ought to supply him one final lifeline at Liverpool. If he fails to take it, then ‘adios’ may very well be written within the Uruguayan’s Christmas card message.
