Darwin Nunez arrived at Liverpool not only with the expectation of a record contract, but also with the responsibility of filling the void left by Sadio Mane. But in the end, the Uruguayan striker's three seasons at Anfield ended with a farewell that was more regretful than successful.
Is Nunez any good?
Statistically, Nunez was not a complete failure. He played 111 games, scored 40 goals, and won a Premier League title - not bad for a player who was considered "incomplete".
But at Anfield, where the trio of Salah - Firmino - Mane were once perfect, the standard for a striker is not only the number of goals. More importantly, it is the integration into the system, the feeling of absolute trust that he instills in his teammates and the audience. Nunez, unfortunately, has never achieved that.
Things weren't smooth sailing from the start. Picked by Klopp over Alexander Isak, Nunez came into the Liverpool squad during a transitional period, when Michael Edwards - the "brain" of the data analytics department - went on leave.
Spending £64 million (plus £21 million in variable fees) to bring in a "rough" striker from Benfica has inevitably made many people wonder: was this a decision based on data or simply the coach's inspiration?
Indeed, Nunez is a fast, physically strong striker who plays with instinct - the spirit that made him explode at Benfica. But at Liverpool, where pressing needs to be synchronized, every step needs to have a reason, every movement needs to be coordinated, that instinct can sometimes become a burden.
The fact that Nunez had to learn the pressing “script” from scratch not only speaks to the difference in environment, but also clearly shows that he is not the “right product” for Klopp’s system.
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Nunez is set to leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabia. |
Of course, there is no denying the brilliant moments that Nunez brings. The goal against Man City in the 2022 Community Shield. The last-minute double against Newcastle, helping Liverpool make a dramatic comeback. Or the cool volley against Brentford in the title race.
Those moments suggest a vision that fans have always hoped for: that Nunez will “blossom” and become a great striker. But then each sublime moment is followed by a series of quiet, awkward and sometimes… silly matches.
One of the most iconic images of Nunez is not the goal celebration, but… the helpless look when the ball bounces off the crossbar - which he hit 12 times in just half a season. Or being caught offside 33 times in one season - the most in the Premier League 2023/24. For Klopp, who always emphasizes discipline and efficiency, these are details that cannot be ignored.
Consequences
In fact, the presence of Cody Gakpo since January 2023 is a warning. Gakpo - intelligent, calm, tactically savvy - quickly became the model of "Liverpool 2.0", while Nunez gradually slipped from the circle of trust.
By the time Arne Slot took over, Nunez’s position had become even more obscure. Slot did not hide his disappointment when mentioning the Uruguayan striker’s lack of commitment, and frankly admitted that he needed a more cold-blooded “number 9” in front of goal.
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Nunez, after all, is not a bad player. |
Nunez, after all, is not a bad player. But he is proof of a modern football paradox: expensive signings with great potential can fail not because they are bad, but because they are not suitable. Like Stan Collymore, Djibril Cissé - excellent strikers in their previous environments, but unable to integrate into the playing structure of Liverpool.
For Kop fans, Nunez may not be a legend, but he is certainly an icon. They love his wildness, tolerate his high-flying shots, and still sing his name despite his dwindling minutes. Because deep down, they want to believe that one day, his madness will lead to something magical.
Unfortunately, that dream is over. Nunez will move to Al-Hilal, starting a new chapter. As for Liverpool, the search for a truly suitable No. 9 continues. But when it comes to the post-Mane transition period, there will always be the name Darwin Nunez - the surrealist artist in the Anfield gallery.
Source: https://znews.vn/tiec-cho-nunez-post1575037.html
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