Nunez’s Flash Moment: A Hit That Erases Suspicion

Against Bournemouth, Darwin Nunez treated Liverpool to the whole package in a 3-0 thrashing of the visitors at Anfield. More than enough to seal the match, the goal gave quite a few reasons to believe that this Uruguayan forward has the talent to live up to the talk. What is more, that was at a time when he was facing quite a lot of criticism after being under new head coach Arne Slot.

image
Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admitted he was taken aback when Nunez, on his first start under the Dutchman’s management, opted to take a shot from an extremely acute angle. Nunez took the ball out wide on the right, crunched around on the inside, and launched a brilliant curving shot into the far corner with eight minutes left in the first half.

Slot candidly spoke of his reaction to the goal saying, “My first instinct when he shot was, ‘why does he shoot?’. I would have said, ‘why don’t you keep on dribbling?’. He made the ball free and I think the defender was on the ground”. But Slot’s skepticism fast turned into wonder because he added, “Then it was a fraction of a second later when I saw the ball go in off the post. Then I was like, ‘OK, maybe you are a better football player than I was in the past'”.

It was Nunez’s 21st goal in the Premier League for Liverpool. It was also his first goal in five months and 17 days, after the last strike for a 3-1 win over Sheffield United. The relief showed on his face when he finally managed to find the back of the net after a long period without scoring. It also marks just perfect timing for the Uruguayan, who hasn’t quite been able to settle down at Anfield.

However, it was not only the target that attracted Slot in. Nunez featured on both offense and defense, where one could show the levels of dedication to the cause. He worked through the whole game as he made more tackles than any other player on the field save for teammate Alexis Mac Allister.

Slot said Nunez did a lot in keeping the game tight, stating: “Of course, I play a striker because I like him to score goals-but it also helps if you keep a clean sheet. Keeping a clean sheet, Darwin was also involved.” It’s clear that Slot prefers those types of players who can work for the team on every part of the pitch and thus, Nunez’s work-rate is a big plus in that aspect.

Prior to this game, Nunez had played only 74 minutes under Slot, so his display here will have boosted his claim to a regular first-placed spot in the team. Liverpool, who now top the table on goal difference ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa, will need all hands on deck during this busy period. The club are currently juggling their Premier League campaign, Carabao Cup fixtures, and the much-awaited return to Champions League action.

The coming weeks are going to be a vital time for Nunez as he is bound to get more game time than he has had so far. On Wednesday, Liverpool hosts West Ham in the Carabao Cup third round, then travels to Wolves for their next league game on Saturday. Then, on October 2, they resume their Champions League journey with a home game against Bologna.

When probed for how Nunez could gain a solid starting spot, Slot responded: “I think you get consistency through two things. You get it through work-rate and you get it through team performance.” He said that if the team itself isn’t performing well on a regular basis, it’s tough for any individual to. The development of such habits by the player on a daily basis during training is what the manager of Liverpool wants to happen, which actually depends significantly on individual effort by Nunez, but in collective dynamics too.

It is now a do-or-die week for the young striker, and though his goal against Bournemouth may have settled some of the doubters, he was in full knowledge that maintaining this sort of performance will be key for him to stamp his authority in the team. Slot accepted the indications, “He played a good game today. He might show it again on Wednesday.”

This is a tight schedule and the players need loads of help to ensure that every minute counts; Nunez appears to be ready for this kind of competition. His goal was a reminder of the quality he can bring to the side, and if he goes on at the same level, it won’t be long before he comes out as a crucial part of Liverpool’s chase after silverware this season.

image

Anthony Joshua Loses to Daniel Dubois: Career Hitting All-Time Low

image

Stacey Solomon Finally Opens Up, Admits to The Emotional Change of Directions Towards Her Family