Ignore the haters, Darwin Nunez is WORLD CLASS

Carlo Garganese

7 Nov 2023 07:00 CST
7 min read

Darwin Nunez, Liverpool, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Darwin Nunez continues to be an enigma.

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The Liverpool forward scored a worldie against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup to send the Reds into the last eight of the competition. Having picked up the ball out wide on the left, Darwin cut inside and unleashed an effort that caught Ionut Radu out.

He scored an almost identical goal for Benfica during his final season in Portugal.

The new No9 then missed an absolute sitter in the 1-1 draw with Luton Town when the score was 0-0. In truth, the showing at Kenilworth Road summed him up. He was a threat throughout, attempting nine shots and testing the goalkeeper on numerous occasions from different angles. But then, when it mattered most, he was unable to keep his composure and put the ball into the back of the net.

It isn’t the first time he’s missed an opportunity like that and it won’t be the last. You see, the 24-year-old is a reliable goal threat but he isn’t yet a reliable goalscorer.

Following his match-winning cameo against the Cherries, our very own Robin Bairner (see below) posted a somewhat controversial opinion in which he claimed Darwin could score 30 goals this season and yet he still wouldn’t be convinced that a player with the Liverpool No9’s first touch is a world-class player.

Darwin Nunez could score 30 goals this season but you'll not convince me that a player with a first touch like this is world class.pic.twitter.com/GvPyIratvO
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) November 2, 2023

I’d argue that the former Benfica man is already world-class.

First, though, I’m going to address the elephant in the room. Darwin is far from the finished product. His first touch can be loose, his passing can be erratic and his finishing, to put it nicely, can be described as scattergun.

Some of his misses defy physics and logic.

Earlier in the season, he managed to miss the target completely from close range against West Ham United after being set-up by Mohamed Salah. Moments later, he scored a ridiculous volley - directing the ball into the far corner after Alexis Mac Allister had clipped a pass over the top.

In the Europa League win over Toulouse, Darwin scored from a tight angle, lashing a left-footed effort into the roof of the net. It was a clinical finish. A finish from a player filled with confidence. In the second half, he raced clear, rounded the keeper and then proceeded to hit a shot straight at the post when the goal was wide open. Ryan Gravenberch picked up the loose ball and finished off the move but it was an outing that sort of epitomised Darwin’s time at Anfield. Capable of the sublime but also of the bizarre.

The same thing happened against Luton. Sort of. Darwin forced Thomas Kaminski into action when he had no right to, landing effort on target from difficult angles, but then fluffed his line when it would’ve been easier to score.

So while he’s not a world-class finisher and he might never be one, he is world-class at carving out opportunities. And that shouldn’t be overlooked. Even when Liverpool are struggling, he makes things happen and that is an invaluable trait to possess.

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This term, he ranks first in the Premier League for shots attempted per 90 with 5.7. He’s fifth for Expected Goals per 90 with 0.85 and sixth for Expected Goals + Expected Assists with 1.00. Only 11 players have more goals and assists than Darwin and it is even more impressive when you consider he’s appeared in just 509 minutes. He’s also third for big chances miss with 10, behind Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins.

It is no coincidence that when the Uruguay international plays, Liverpool create more chances and look much more of a threat. So, yeah, Darwin might not be a world-class finisher, but he is a world-class threat. And finding world-class threats is much more difficult than people realise.

A perpetual threat creates more moments and opportunities than a clinical forward. That is often overlooked and ignored. Diogo Jota, for example, can do nothing all game but then chips in with a goal. Some would argue that is more beneficial than a player like Darwin but what happens when that goal doesn’t arrive? At least with the No9, things happen throughout.

As a result of this, he’ll score a lot of goals but perhaps not as many as some might think he should.