Two years on from his record-breaking transfer to Anfield, Darwin Nunez nonetheless splits opinion on the largest query of all; ‘is he adequate to be at Liverpool?’
There are two faculties of thought on this, with seemingly no center floor. You’re both within the ‘Nunez provides extra than simply objectives’ camp, otherwise you’re on crew ‘get rid’.
He’s joined an inventory of Liverpool gamers that features Alberto Moreno, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson; love or loath, criticise or crave.
The 2022/23 season’s evaluate of the ahead ended with a thought for the marketing campaign we’ve simply witnessed; ‘he wouldn’t be first alternative, 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 the perfect assertion to be made two years operating, nevertheless it’s one that continues to be as legitimate now because it did then.
Began: 33 (All competitions)On as an alternative: 21Goals: 18Assists: 13
The nice, the unhealthy 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 photographs taken from outdoors the world.
He’d supplied little towards a Chelsea aspect that had 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 subsequent two video games. 4 minutes of motion adopted towards 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 virtually an identical purpose 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 seemed to be emphatically answered, it’s what everybody needed to see – power, want and pin-point accuracy, all the things a centre-forward must be.
Sadly, in his subsequent 15 league video games he solely discovered the again of the subsequent 3 times. In Europe he faired a little bit higher, nevertheless it was the Europa League, a contest Liverpool had been anticipated to win.
As 2023 ended, the conversations across the 24-year-old had been precisely the identical, may he be trusted to hold the load of expectation, may Liverpool stay prime till Might?
Into the brand new 12 months
As 2024 began, Nunez regarded once more to reply critics. Two exceptionally well-taken objectives towards Bournemouth had been adopted in fast succession with an additional three in three.
The Reds had been prime and in a title battle, 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 reasonable probability of choosing up a remaining Premier League title underneath Klopp. The Nunez on present that evening displayed all of the traits that include a participant not proper for the membership.
Snap photographs, poor accuracy, horrible resolution making – unhealthy sufficient should you’ve bought only one, however to have all three and never for the primary time, was a step too far for a lot of.
He regarded 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 objectives from 108 photographs, 83 contained in the field, instructed 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 huge probabilities based on Opta, second solely to Erling Haaland who missed 34, crucially although the Norwegian discovered the online 27 occasions 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-Pink Dominic Solanke hit 19.
Liverpool’s costliest striker had failed to seek out the online constantly or convincingly. Had this been completely different, the solitary League Cup might have been surrounded by just a few extra pots of silver.
The long run
It was evident that underneath Klopp Nunez was third alternative and, had the charismatic German not left Anfield, then the exit door might have been opened this summer time for the ex-Benfica participant.
As it’s, new head coach Arne Slot is alleged to see the No.9 as ‘crucial to his plans. This may occasionally have purchased the ahead yet another 12 months to show his price however the stress 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 through which he excelled, with 26 objectives 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 may have been watching with eager eyes simply how Nunez has carried out of late. His fox within the field type hat-trick for Uruguay final week might have given the brand new Liverpool hierarchy one thing to stay up for.
It may have come at simply the suitable time, as a result of Nunez would nonetheless demand an honest price on the European market, offering funds which could possibly be used to bolster Liverpool in different areas.
One factor is for certain, August to November will set the trail for Liverpool and Nunez’s future collectively. A poor begin to the season might sign a departure for the £85 million signing.
Greatest second: His match-winning brace at Newcastle must be the kind of factor we see week in, week out, as ought to his placement of objectives witnessed towards Bournemouth.
Worst second: Too many huge probabilities missed to selected from, however you’ll discover no worse instance of scientific ending than that seen towards Everton.
Function subsequent season: Slot’s arrival ought to supply him one final lifeline at Liverpool. If he fails to take it, then ‘adios’ could possibly be written within the Uruguayan’s Christmas card message.