Darwin Nunez: 10 seconds that CHANGED the Liverpool star’s season

Robin Bairner

• 2 Nov 2024 14:43 CDT
• 3 min read

Liverpool continue to ride high in the Premier League under Arne Slot, yet for Darwin Nunez, it has been a somewhat frustrating campaign to date.

Nunez has only started four league games while overall he has returned just a couple of goals in 11 appearances. It is a far cry from the 18 he netted under Jurgen Klopp last term.

The Uruguay striker slowly seems to be winning Slot over, yet this integration process to become a full part of the Dutchman’s plans might have been accelerated by a few moments of brilliance during the 2-1 Premier League victory over Brighton.

STATS

Darwin Núñez

F (C), AM (L)

Liverpool

Darwin Núñez

F (C), AM (L)

Liverpool

All Tournaments

2024/25

• 11

  Games

• 2

  Goals

• 2

  Assists

View all stats

The fixture was nine minutes old when Nunez challenged for a loose ball in the centre circle, setting up a thrilling solo run at goal with a neat flick over his marker. In transition, he proved too strong for another defender on halfway before sprinting into the box and shimmying away from another Brighton challenge.

Now with a clear sight of goal, he kept his head only for Bart Verbruggen to deny him with a strong left wrist. The ball was parried away for a corner.

Had Nunez scored, it would have been a strong contender for goal of the season. On a more personal note, it was a potential campaign-defining moment.

Instead of having the confidence of a goal to build from, he drifted into an average performance. Sure, the work-rate was there, and he looked dangerous when given space, but that was his sole shot and was his defining involvement close to goal.

How did Darwin Nunez play against Brighton?

FootballCritic gave him a 6.6 rating – the third-poorest among Liverpool players who made it past half-time. The others who were weaker – Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai – were both replaced midway through the second half.

Darwin seems to be winning his battle to get Slot onside, and for the next couple of weeks has the benefit of a free run at the centre-forward position with Diogo Jota injured.

He needs a goal to truly kickstart his campaign, though, and that moment of magic against Brighton would have been the perfect springboard to launch his bid to become Liverpool’s No.9.