Harry Poole
BBC Sport Journalist
Darwin Nunez has faced his fair share of criticism, but he isn’t letting it define him. “I wasn’t the best three weeks ago, and I’m not the worst now,” Nunez said after Liverpool’s recent 2-2 draw against Aston Villa—a match that saw him miss a golden chance to secure a win.
The Uruguayan striker, who joined Liverpool in 2022 for an initial £64m, missed a clear shot from just six yards out at Villa Park. The chance had an expected goals (xG) value of 0.75, meaning he would be expected to score 75% of the time. Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler even called it “one of the worst misses we’ve seen this year.”
Nunez’s miss had coach Arne Slot visibly frustrated. “I can accept any miss, especially from someone who scored two crucial goals against Brentford,” Slot said. “But what bothered me was how it affected him. He wasn’t his usual self—he let the miss get in his head.”
Can Nunez Bounce Back?
Despite the setback, Nunez remains determined. He posted on social media: “If I fall, I get up. You’ll never see me give up. I’ll give it my all until the last day I’m here in Liverpool. Resilience!”
Since joining from Benfica, Nunez has scored 39 goals in 131 appearances—an average of one goal every 182 minutes. However, his overall xG is 52.4, meaning he has scored 13 fewer goals than expected.
Statistics from Sky Sports also reveal that Nunez misses nearly one big chance per Premier League game.
What’s Next for Liverpool?
Liverpool’s lead in the Premier League could shrink to five points if Arsenal beats West Ham on Saturday. Liverpool, meanwhile, will face Manchester City on Sunday, followed by a match against Newcastle United.
Nunez’s journey at Anfield is still unfolding, and while the numbers might not be in his favor right now, he’s determined to turn things around.
Credit: This article is based on a report by Harry Poole, BBC Sport.
