Liverpool had another challenging but successful outing against Girona, but the same cannot be said for frontman Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan striker, who took over Liverpool in a club-record contract from Benfica in 2022, is finding it difficult to take his game to the next level under new manager Arne Slot after two promising seasons at Anfield.
Despite scoring 15 and 18 goals in his first two seasons, Nunez's form has dipped this season, meaning he missed key chances on Tuesday night. With Diogo Jota close to full fitness again, Nunez's position in Slot's line-up could be in jeopardy, especially after failing to find the net in his last five appearances, four of which he started, and only three scored goals in 19 games in all competitions. this term.
After the victory over Girona, which kept Liverpool's perfect Champions League start intact, head coach Slot stood by his striker. However, Luis Garcia, a member of Liverpool's 2005 Champions League-winning side, echoed on ESPN FC's YouTube channel a sentiment that many fans might begrudgingly accept: “It's the story with Darwin Nunez,” said Garcia.
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“We all agree: his work rate is fantastic. He helps the team because he always tries to push the opponent, but we miss the last part: the scoring percentage. It is something we have been waiting for in recent years, but it's He doesn't arrive He can score goals, but he's not a player who can score maybe 25-30 goals.
“There's something missing there and we're still waiting. Every game he gets one, two or three chances and he misses the last part. He misses a little bit of composure at the last moment.”
Nunez scored 34 goals in 44 games in his final season with Benfica, including two against Liverpool in the Champions League. But while he will struggle to come close to that figure for the Reds this season, his manager is still backing him.
Slot said after the victory in Girona, which was secured by Mohamed Salah's 16th goal of the campaign: “What I can agree on is that he has missed a few chances. Then the question is always: does this have anything to do with with low confidence or is it Is this a situation he is currently in?
“I think every striker around the world has periods where every ball goes in, and sometimes he has periods where you try so hard but you can't score. The good thing is we have a lot of players who can score.” us – today Mo weather.
“I would have liked to see Darwin score because I think every striker wants to score (and) needs goals. That's why I kept him in for a long time. He was a threat but unfortunately he couldn't score.”
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