Alex Capparos - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Darwin Nuñez’s Liverpool struggles continued on Tuesday, cutting a frustrated figure during his side’s 1-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Girona.
Mohamed Salah’s spot-kick sealed a sixth consecutive win in the competition, but Nuñez’s misfortunes in-front of goal casts further doubt over his longer-term future at Anfield.
Since Diogo Jota’s injury trouble dating back to October, Darwin Nuñez became the trusted man to fill the void as Liverpool’s number nine, but has since flattered to decieve.
The Uruguayan squandered another two big chances on Tuesday, leading to an unwanted conversation over his current form.
With just one goal in his last ten appearances across all competitions, it remains to be seen whether he can provide consistent goalscoring numbers as Liverpool prepare to fight on all fronts this season.
When asked to comment on Nuñez’s overall performance, Arne Slot pointed towards a lack of confidence.
“What I can agree on is that he missed a few chances, then it’s always a question, does this have anything to do with lower confidence or is this the situation where he is in at the moment?’
“I think every striker has periods all around the world where every ball goes in and sometimes he has a period where you try so hard, but you are not able to score. The good thing is that we have many players that can score for us.”
“I would love to have seen Darwin score because I think every striker needs goals.”
With Diogo Jota closing in on a return, it’s seemingly likely that the Portuguese will replace Nuñez in Arne Slot’s preferred eleven over the coming weeks.
IS DARWIN NUÑEZ A ‘TYPICAL’ ARNE SLOT FORWARD?
Arne Slot and Darwin Nunez.
Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda.
A big tactical change that has arrived with Arne Slot is the role of his number nine.
Due to a more controlled approach, Liverpool have become less reliant on their central striker making darting runs beyond the defensive line, instead, they are instructed to come deep and help build-up an attack.
This is a complete contrast to what was seen under Jurgen Klopp as the German’s high-pressing, heavy-metal football relied heavily on the striker stretching opposing defences.
Darwin Nuñez seems to be more suited to Klopp’s system as he was allowed more freedom to attack the last defender, and the midfielders were encouraged to pick him out.
The lack of service under Slot seems to be getting the better of him so far, with the boss making tactical tweaks for games against Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City.
Nuñez was dropped in favour of Luis Diaz through the centre, and the plan worked to perfection. Liverpool ran out 4-0 and 2-0 winners, with Diaz bagging a first career hat-trick against the invincible Bundesliga champions.
LIVERPOOL GOAL RECORD
The Uruguayan arrived in 2022 from Benfica, with a hefty price tag of £64m rising to as much as £85m with bonuses, and just 36 goals in 115 appearances, mean the Liverpool supporters are still yet to see the finished article.
In his third full season on Merseyside, Nuñez is experiencing his worst minutes-to-goal ratio of his Liverpool career, netting just one every 346 minutes this season, accumulating a total of three goals in nineteen matches.
RESPONDING TO CRITICS
Darwin Nuñez posted an alarming statement to his Instagram story on Wednesday, firing back against the critics.
Darwin Nunez.
Photo by @darwin_n9 via Instagram.
As shown above, the statement reads, “They are not all, they are some. Thank you Reds for your support, we are all still together!.”
Every supporter wants to see Darwin Nuñez succeed, but patience is running thin. £85m for just 22 Premier League goals as we near the halfway stage of a third full season is worrying.
If form doesn’t improve, then the Liverpool hierachy will have a huge decision to make next summer.
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