Darwin Nunez barely had time to remove his training kit on the Liverpool substitutes’ bench before the atmosphere at the Kop began to stir. The Reds were trailing and struggling to find their rhythm in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham. At the 55th minute, Jurgen Klopp made two changes, including bringing Nunez onto the pitch alongside Cody Gakpo. The fans immediately recognized Nunez as the headline nаme and started chanting his nаme, a familiar anthem on the Kop.
Previously, the chants of Nunez’s nаme from the fans were more of encouragement and gentle coaxing. Whether it was missed chances, winning throw-ins, or simply closing down defenders, these acts often prompted the fans to chant “Nunez” since his arrival from Benfica in the summer of 2022. But on this particular night, the chants seemed to be fueled by expectation rather than hope. The fans believed that Nunez could make a difference, and their roars were meant to embolden him.
While the statistics may show that Nunez didn’t score any goals himself, he played a crucial role in Liverpool’s comeback. He provided two assists, one with a pass to Curtis Jones that resulted in a deflected shot beating Fulham’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, and the other by setting up Gakpo for a smart finish. The fans’ affection for Nunez was evident with their immediate chants of his nаme once again. He had become a beloved figure on the Kop, second only to Mohamed Salah.
But Nunez’s impact went beyond the assists. He embarked on a relentless mission to add to the goals scored while he was on the pitch. He forced Leno into making three excellent saves and came close to scoring himself with powerful shots and a well-placed header. Despite not finding the back of the net, Nunez’s performance was highly commendable.
In his limited 35-minute appearance, Nunez registered the highest Expected Goals tally of all players on the pitch and made a significant impact in the opposition’s box. His shots were on target, showcasing his attacking prowess. While Klopp acknowledged Nunez’s misfortune in finishing, he praised his reaction and efforts on the field.
There is an ongoing debate about whether Nunez’s lack of goals is due to sheer bad luck or if there are underlying factors that need to be addressed in training. The trutҺ likely lies somewhere in the middle. It’s tempting to believe that with his constant shooting, Nunez will eventually find the back of the net more frequently, and supporters remain hopeful that his potential will be fully realized.
With Salah’s absence due to the Africa Cup of Nations, Klopp has sought creative solutions to compensate for the shortfall. Deploying Nunez on the left side of the front three, with Jota or Gakpo in the center, has proven successful in recent matches against Arsenal and Fulham. This tactical adjustment not only utilizes Nunez’s unique set of skills but also enhances the team’s attacking threаt during Salah’s absence.
As Nunez eagerly awaits his return to action, he hopes that his nаme will be chanted for his goalscoring prowess. Regardless, the fans’ unwavering support and appreciation for his contributions remain steadfast. Nunez’s presence on the pitch adds a new dimension to Liverpool’s аttаck, showcasing his pace, power, and determined spirit.
