Darwin Núñez arrived at Liverpool within the 2022 summer season window from Benfica. His earlier stint in Portugal was fruitful; he scored 34 objectives in 40 complete appearances. The sport that caught the eye of many soccer followers and mainstream information shops was Benfica vs. Barcelona, the place Núñez netted a brace to overcome a catastrophic […]

Darwin Núñez arrived at Liverpool within the 2022 summer season window from Benfica. His earlier stint in Portugal was fruitful; he scored 34 objectives in 40 complete appearances. The sport that caught the eye of many soccer followers and mainstream information shops was Benfica vs. Barcelona, the place Núñez netted a brace to overcome a catastrophic Barca facet nonetheless reeling from monetary turmoil.

The Uruguayan winger began his debut season in England nicely. He scored within the Group Protect towards Manchester Metropolis and the Premier League opener towards Fulham. However, Núñez hit a barren patch for a month. He didn’t rating in a Liverpool shirt for seven-straight video games, and that’s when doubts started to rise.

Núñez had a knack for being clutch. He scored the lone aim in a win over West Ham. Within the final 13 minutes towards Napoli at Anfield, he scored and picked up an help. Additionally, he scored towards Arsenal on the Emirates, though it was an eventual loss, 3-2.

His most up-to-date, memorable efficiency was his brace in Liverpool’s 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United. A stable header from a Harvey Elliot cross and one other glancing header from Jordan Henderson’s cross capped off an excellent recreation.

Núñez, as he’s proven all season, is athletic, pacy and bodily. Importantly, he possesses uncooked expertise. His begin in England has had blunders, as one would count on. He headbutted Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen in a youthful mistake. Regardless of that, he has had an excellent season given the strain stuffed on his shoulders.

Regardless of his performances in the course of the season, Núñez picked up appreciable hate over a scarcity of ending. How warranted is that criticism, and the way does it damage Núñez’s recreation?

What do the stats say?

Núñez is among the most harmful forwards within the Premier League, if not in Europe. He has eight objectives within the Premier League, tied for second in his crew and sixteenth within the Premier League. The Uruguayan additionally has 4 objectives in 4 Champions League video games. He’s additionally an excellent creator, getting three Premier League assists.

These are respectable numbers, particularly for somebody in a debut season who’s simply 23. Even then, these statistics don’t inform the complete story of his recreation.

Soccer Reference claims he has one of many worst objectives minus anticipated objectives totals. This stat calculates what number of objectives gamers rating off of possibilities. The upper, the higher, because it exhibits you rating objectives from little or unhealthy possibilities. The typical quantity is round -0.1, however Núñez has one of many worst within the league, with -2.3. Evaluate that to Erling Haaland’s +6.3, and there’s a enormous hole. However, to be truthful to Núñez, Haaland’s output this season is just outstanding for any participant.

Núñez has additionally taken the fifth-most photographs on the right track (30) whereas boasting an environment friendly 40% capturing accuracy. He additionally has an xG complete of 10.3 with out penalties, good for fourth within the league. It might present that Núñez is considerably unfortunate, however you wouldn’t see that in his play.

Essentially the most noticeable a part of his recreation is his perceived wastefulness. He does have issues getting the ball off his foot generally, and he usually passes up or hesitates on huge possibilities, however lots of the “unhealthy misses” that Núñez will get find yourself being nice saves.

Right here’s a Núñez shot within the Group Protect that many branded as a nasty miss. That utterly overlooks a textbook Ederson sweeper-style save.

Or an unimaginable goal-line block by Brentford’s Ben Mee in a 3-1 loss for Liverpool.

Núñez can be among the best creators within the league, taking part in second fiddle to an always-reliable Mohamed Salah. In Jürgen Klopp’s system, Núñez usually drifts out towards the touchline, leaving a lot of house for Salah and fellow new signing Cody Gakpo to play from. It results in an overload on the flanks whereas serving to Núñez thrive in a extra superior however inventive place. Núñez creates 3.23 photographs per 90 minutes and will get a whopping 9 touches within the opposing penalty space per 90, making him a vital a part of the Liverpool entrance three.

Does Darwin Núñez deserve the Liverpool loathing?

Though there are credible worries about his capturing skill and composure in entrance of aim, it’s foolish to say Núñez just isn’t one of many forces propping Liverpool up in dire occasions. His goal-scoring skill and playmaking are a breath of contemporary air. It’s complicated why followers are aiming their complaints at a winger who has been in good type this season.

When you’re questioning why Liverpool has regressed a lot, you may discover it within the Reds’ getting old midfield. Fabinho is 29, Thiago is 31 and Jordan Henderson is 32. 37-year-old James Milner has additionally had some playtime. The results of Klopp’s intense gegenpressing system are seen on all 4 gamers.

However, teenage sensation Stefan Bajcetic is getting extra play time, Fabio Carvalho is getting encouraging cameos and English expertise Harvey Elliot is impressing this season. Though Liverpool has outdated gamers of their ranks, a brand new technology will take their place within the following seasons.

However till then, Klopp should depend on the on-fire entrance three of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, and Cody Gakpo as they face some existential questions on Wednesday as Liverpool travels to Actual Madrid.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Colorsport