Liverpool maintained their perfect record in the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 win against Girona away from home.
In a game where both goalkeepers made a handful of saves, Mohamed Salah scored the solitary goal of the game with a second-half penalty as he took his tally up to 50 in European competitions.
Arne Slot’s side have already secured automatic qualification into the Round of 16 and are the only unbeaten side left in the competition.
The Reds were hardly at their best but did just about enough to get the job done away from home.
And Stephen Warnock has delivered a rather grim verdict on one Liverpool attacker after what he did in the first half.
Stephen Warnock slams Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Girona FC and Liverpool FC at Montili...
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Darwin Nunez has featured regularly for Liverpool in recent weeks in the absence of Diogo Jota, who is edging closer to full fitness.
Leading the line for the Reds away from home in Spain – with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah either side of him – the enigmatic striker was in the thick of the action in the first half.
With almost 35 minutes played, Nunez had two great chances to break the deadlock.
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First, he failed to make any contact with a header from close range, and moments later, he could only hit the ball straight at Paolo Gazzaniga as he missed another chance from inside the box.
Warnock didn’t pull any punches with his assessment of the Uruguayan striker as he questioned his finishing ability.
“What is that from Darwin Nunez? That is Darwin Nunez to a tee,” said the former Liverpool defender on BBC Sport.
“That is so disappointing because it was a great break. He has to score. Liverpool are struggling in attacking areas because Darwin Nunez doesn’t want to be involved until the ball enters the penalty area.
“That’s not the way Liverpool want to play football.”
Nunez’s stats vs Girona
Jamie Carragher feels Liverpool must offload Nunez in 2025 as he continues to underwhelm up front for Liverpool since his big-money move for Benfica.
His underlying numbers from the game are proof that it was another frustrating night in the office.
71 minutes played
16 touches
50% pass completion rate
2 big chances missed
1 shot off target
0 chances created
The Uruguayan attacker is a willing runner and puts in the hard yards, but in terms of his output, he clearly hasn’t performed consistently enough to warrant a starting spot in the team.
With Jota now fully fit, it remains to be seen if he comes straight into the starting XI for the Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday.
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