When Liverpool first lost Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota to long-term injury back in October, Jurgen Klopp initially alternated between different formations and different players on the left without much luck as the Reds’ inconsistency continued.
Out of desperation, he turned to Darwin Nunez come November with the former Benfica man rewarding such a decision with an assist away at Spurs before scoring a brace at home to Southampton in Liverpool’s final game before the 2022 World Cup.
At the time, the decision to play the Uruguayan there was just a stop-gap. After all, the £64m man had been signed as a striker while Diaz was poised to return in time for the Premier League restart, with Jota not too far behind. But then the Colombian was forced to undergo knee surgery and the Reds found themselves left short in attack.
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Klopp responded by signing Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven in January, bringing in the left-winger for an initial £37m. And while it presented questions about who would start once all of Liverpool’s options were fit again, the Dutchman’s arrival at least suggested that Nunez’s time on the left was over.
But while he would indeed return to a central berth following the restart, as well as initially following Gakpo’s arrival, in recent weeks, despite raised eyebrows, Klopp has had other ideas. Unleashing a new-look triumvirate with the Dutchman now central and Nunez out on the left alongside Mohamed Salah, Liverpool are starting to see a method in the madness.
Against Everton, it was the Uruguayan’s blistering pace down the left that set up Salah’s opening goal, with the forward causing constant problems when carrying the ball forward and cutting inside. In truth, the only thing his performance lacked was a goal, as he saw both his fellow forwards score with Gakpo also opening his account for the club.
Clearly not wanting a repeat, it would take Nunez just 10 minutes to score against Newcastle on Saturday evening. Bringing down Trent Alexander-Arnold’s chipped ball forward, he brought it down well before rifling home an unstoppable strike.
So many times during the first half of the season, such a strike would have been rushed, either missing the target or being struck straight at the keeper. But this time there was a calmness from Nunez as he scored his 11th goal of the season and scored in the Premier League for the first time since that Southampton brace in November.
Yet there was far more to the 23-year-old’s performance than just his goal. He caused Kieran Tripper constant problems as he again put his pace to good use as Liverpool repeatedly threatened on the counter, and linked up well with both Gakpo and Salah. After an initial slow start as team-mates, this new-look attack is starting to blossom.
With Jota and Roberto Firmino back from injury, there are no guarantees that this will remain a first-choice trio or that Nunez will even stay on the left. Yet, boasting three goals and two assists from his three Premier League starts in such a role, perhaps he has found his position. A move initially made out of desperation now looks to be a stroke of genius.
Admittedly a very different player to Sadio Mane, Liverpool’s agent of chaos has still found a way to replace the Senegalese with his electric pace and power, cutting inside from the flank. And we’re starting to see his eye for goal or a more regular basis.
One can only hope his rhythm is not rocked by a shoulder injury he seemingly suffered which preceded his withdrawal on the hour-mark against Newcastle, though he was likely to have been taken off with one eye on Real Madrid regardless.
Twice going down in discomfort to receive treatment after landing heavily, the forward was clutching his shoulder and rotating the joint as he left the field and left Liverpool hearts in mouths. Given the Reds’ injury woes this season, they’ll have everything crossed he avoids the worst - especially before Tuesday night’s Champions League return.
Despite the knock, Nunez still found time to test Martin Dubravka once more in the Newcastle goal, cutting inside before aiming for the bottom corner only to see his strike tipped behind. Six months into his Liverpool career, you still can’t take your eyes off him.
If the Reds are to qualify for the Champions League, this St. James’ Park victory could prove to be decisive with Nunez more than playing his part. This is the Liverpool he signed up for, not what he has been part of for the majority of his six months at the club to date.
Jota and Firmino might now be available for the Reds and itching to make up for lost time, but Kopites will be hoping that despite Nunez’s shoulder injury, this new-look Liverpool attack can continue after belatedly getting their top four charge underway.
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