In Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, Darwin Nunez did not have a single shot in 97 minutes of play. Similarly, in the previous match against Chelsea, the Uruguayan striker also failed to fire any shots after 67 minutes on the pitch. Statistics show that Nunez only had 28 touches of the ball at the Emirates, less than Kostas Tsimikas - a player who came on as a substitute in the last 30 minutes of the match. In addition, the 25-year-old striker only won 5/15 duels and 1/4 successful aerial duels.
The numbers looked bleak. However, when the final whistle blew, Nunez was still praised by captain Arne Slot, his teammates and Liverpool fans. His persistence paid off when, in the final minutes, the Kop star seized the opportunity from Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass to dive and set up Mohamed Salah, helping them to secure a valuable point.
"When I see a player like Nunez constantly trying, I know he is physically fit to compete. Even though he hasn't played much, the way he has played, especially in the last 3 matches, proves that Nunez is in the best condition" - Arne Slot shared.
Darwin Nunez has been a divisive figure since arriving on Merseyside in the summer of 2022. Supporters have always seen the 1999-born striker as a bright prospect, while sceptics have labelled the £85m signing a waste of money.
Nunez can both excite and disappoint fans in the same match. But there is no denying that in a week of intense competition, Liverpool's "number 9" has made important contributions to help the team maintain their early-season momentum.
In the match against Chelsea, when Diogo Jota had to leave the field early, Nunez led the attack brilliantly, putting pressure on the opponent and contributing to controlling the match. In the match against RB Leipzig, the Uruguayan striker scored the only goal, helping the "Red Brigade" to a third consecutive victory in the Champions League.
The Arsenal game was Nunez’s second start in nine Premier League games this season. While he did not feature much in attack, he made important contributions off the ball, showing versatility and a willingness to help out in defence.
In the first half, when Liverpool were under heavy pressure from Arsenal, Nunez even dropped deep as an auxiliary centre-back. This was not in the original plan of The Kop, but under pressure from The Gunners, the former Benfica player showed remarkable effort in supporting the defense.
Despite only having five touches in Arsenal's box, one of them resulted in Salah's winning goal, a clear demonstration of the link-up play between Nunez and Salah that is getting better and better.
To date, the 25-year-old striker has had 19 assists for Liverpool, including 11 assists for Salah. These numbers show that Nunez is not just a striker who only knows how to score goals, he is also a player who is very good at supporting his teammates.
Darwin Nunez has left a certain mark in the rare times he has been given the opportunity. Especially in the context of Liverpool needing a breakthrough, the Uruguayan star has proven his worth. His perseverance and constant efforts will continue to be a source of inspiration for the Anfield team in the upcoming matches.
