In Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, Darwin Nunez did not have a single shot for 97 minutes. Similarly, in the previous match against Chelsea, the Uruguayan striker could not launch any shots after 67 minutes on the field. Statistics show that Nunez only had 28 touches 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 has only won 5/15 duels and 1/4 successful aerial duels.
The numbers seem very bleak. However, when the final whistle blew, Nunez still received praise from captain Arne Slot, teammates and Liverpool fans. His perseverance was rewarded when in the final minutes, the Kop star took advantage of the opportunity from Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass to rush down and assist Mohamed Salah, helping them keep a valuable point.
"When I see a player like Nunez trying so hard, I know he's fit enough to compete. Although he hasn't played much, the way he's played, especially in the last three games, proves that Nunez is in his best condition," said Arne Slot.
Darwin Nunez has been a controversial player since he arrived at Merseyside in the summer of 2022. For supporters, the striker born in 1999 is always a bright talent. On the contrary, skeptics say the £85 million contract is a waste.
Nunez can both excite and disappoint fans in the same match. However, it cannot be denied that in a week of intense competition, Liverpool's "number 9" has made important contributions to help the team maintain its momentum at the beginning of the season.
In the match against Chelsea, when Diogo Jota had to leave the field early, Nunez led the attack excellently, 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" win their third consecutive victory in the Champions League.
The match against Arsenal was Nunez's second start in 9 matches in the Premier League this season. Although he did not show much in attack, he made important contributions when he did not have the ball, showing flexibility and readiness to support the defense.
In the first half, when Liverpool were under great pressure from Arsenal, Nunez even retreated as a holding center-back. This was not in the original plan of The Kop, but under the pressure of The Gunners, the former Benfica player showed a significant effort in supporting the defense.
Despite only having five touches in Arsenal's box, one of them has been a decisive goal for Salah. That is clear evidence that the connection between Nunez and Salah is getting better and better.
The 25-year-old has so far provided 19 assists for Liverpool, including 11 for Salah. These numbers show that Nunez is not only a striker who can only score goals, he is also a player who can support his teammates very well.
Darwin Nunez has left a mark in the rare times given the opportunity. In particular, in the context of Liverpool needing a breakthrough, the Uruguayan star has proven his worth. His perseverance and continuous efforts will continue to inspire the Anfield team in the following matches.
