It’s fair to say that Gareth Bale and Liverpool go back a long way in the Champions League, a former Real Madrid star who won the 2018 final in Ukraine.
Bale famously entered the game in the 61st minute to render Sadio Mane’s Liverpool equaliser useless – a team who would go on to win it the season after.
Of course, against most expectations, Arne Slot’s Liverpool side are already looking like an outfit who can compete for Europe’s highest honours.
Very few expected Slot to flop at Anfield, but to adapt so seamlessly and actually improve on Jurgen Klopp’s work last season is quite remarkable.
And as part of that progression, and in the absence of Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez is beginning to play more often, the starting striker against Madrid.
Gareth Bale got it wrong about Darwin Nunez scoring against Real Madrid
Speaking at half-time during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Real, Bale spoke about Nunez, who wasn’t quite able to find the back of the net despite some superb work in the first 45 minutes.
Eventually, Nunez was replaced by Cody Gakpo, but prior to his second half subsitution, Bale actually thought the Uruguayan was on course to hit the back of the net.
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool applauds the fans after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F...
Photo by ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
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Speaking during TNT Sport’s coverage of the game, Bale was wrong on this occasion, even if he did see the Madrid net eventually bulge, just to a different scorer.
Bale said: “From Nunez obviously he has had the chances and I think for a striker it’s important that if you are missing chances that you are always there in the right spot. It hasn’t gone in for him.
“But he still keeps putting himself in the right spots and I think if he keeps going like good strikers do he will get on the scoresheet and get the important goal that they need.
What has Arne Slot said about Darwin Nunez this season?
Speaking last month after beating RB Leipzig, Slot appeared to give a clear indication of where he feels Nunez’s progress is at right now.
The Dutchman complemented Nunez’s work-rate, but suggested there was still room for improvement elsewhere.
Slot said: “He’s put a lot of effort in and that’s the first thing you can ask of a player – and it was also nice of him to score a goal against Leipzig.
“He scored a goal, which was vital, but his work-rate was also really good and he’s not played that many games with us.
“So with him there is, like the others, room for improvement in co-operation with some of the other players, but that’s normal.
“He’s very good and it’s pleasing to see that after a difficult start – because Diogo played so much for us – Darwin performed well against Chelsea and Leipzig.”
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