Darwin Nunez: Finding His Place in Liverpool’s Attack

Liverpool’s attacking line has started the season in impressive form. Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota have all contributed with goals and assists, while Cody Gakpo got off the mark with a key assist in the recent Champions League clash against AC Milan. However, one name remains noticeably absent from the score sheets—Darwin Nunez.

Slow Start to the Season for Nunez

Darwin Nunez has only made four substitute appearances this season, totalling just 88 minutes on the pitch. Despite this limited game time, his impact has been minimal, and his contributions are yet to lead to any significant results. His brief appearance against AC Milan was his 100th for Liverpool, with a record of 33 goals and 17 assists since joining the club in 2022. While this is a respectable return, considering the €75 million (£64 million) price tag that could rise to €100 million, expectations were much higher.

Under new head coach Arne Slot, Nunez’s role remains uncertain. Slot, known for his ability to extract the best from players, especially at his former club Feyenoord, reached out to Nunez early in his tenure to express his belief in the striker’s potential. Yet, despite this, Nunez has not started a game this season.

Competition for Places in a Stacked Forward Line

Liverpool’s depth in attack is undoubtedly one reason Nunez has struggled to break into the starting XI. Salah, Diaz, and Jota have all been preferred, with the Colombian winger Diaz even being selected over Nunez despite having played full international matches in the preceding week. Nunez, meanwhile, missed some of the pre-season after his participation in the Copa America, which set him back in adapting to Slot’s system.

This lack of match rhythm has been a real issue for Nunez. He’s been brought on late in matches where Liverpool have often already secured a lead, with his role focusing more on ball retention than chasing goals. This is reflected in his limited touches in dangerous areas—just four touches in the opponent’s box in his 88 minutes this season.

Slot’s Patience with Nunez: A Long-Term Plan?

While Nunez’s slow start is a concern for some fans, it’s important to remember that Slot has shown a methodical approach with new players in the past. At Feyenoord, he would gradually introduce new signings, giving them time to learn his system and build confidence. Although Nunez is not a fresh arrival at Liverpool, Slot might still be treating him as a player needing time to adjust to his tactical ideas.

Patience, though, is wearing thin among some supporters, particularly as Nunez hasn’t scored for Liverpool since April 4. His last goal, against Sheffield United, came when he capitalised on a mistake from goalkeeper Ivo Grbic. With no goals in his last 14 appearances, pressure is mounting for Nunez to step up.

Signs of Improvement and Hope for Nunez

Despite his struggles, Nunez’s work rate and attitude on the pitch have been positive. He continues to press energetically out of possession and has shown flashes of his potential in brief moments. His near-post effort against Milan, where he reacted quickly to beat the goalkeeper, was a sign that he’s close to breaking his dry spell.

The rise of Cody Gakpo this season could offer Nunez some hope. Like Nunez, Gakpo was yet to start a game this season before being given a chance against Milan, where he delivered a standout performance. This shows that with the right opportunity, form can change quickly. Slot’s strategy of gradually integrating players could see Nunez follow a similar path, especially if he’s afforded more minutes in the coming fixtures.

Conclusion

Darwin Nunez’s journey at Liverpool remains a work in progress. While his slow start to the season and lack of goals is a concern, it’s too early to write him off under Arne Slot’s management. With competition fierce for places in the forward line, Nunez will need to grasp his chances when they come, much like Gakpo did in Milan. If Slot’s past approach to developing players is anything to go by, patience may be the key to unlocking Nunez’s full potential.