Liverpool head coach Arne Slot highlighted the under-appreciated assist from forward Darwin Nunez for the Mohamed Salah goal against Arsenal. Salah scored an 81st-minute equaliser in the 2-2 Premier League draw against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold received praise for creating the goalscoring chance with an exquisite through-ball to break Arsenal’s defensive line, unleashing Nunez. The Uruguayan forward made a darting run and timed his cross towards the Egyptian to allow a simple tap-in goal.
Nunez has enjoyed limited chances under Slot during the early stages of the season with Diogo Jota ahead of him. However, Jota suffered an injury that forced him out of the team until after this season’s November international break.
Nunez will play crucial games in the absence of Jota as he is the only natural number currently nine available. The 25-year-old faced severe criticism last season for failing to convert easy chances and losing concentration to avoid offside traps.
However, Nunez commands a decent record since joining the Reds from Benfica, scoring and assisting a healthy number of goals. Furthermore, the Uruguayan contributes immensely through his selfless desire to work hard for his teammates and link with other players.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Slot highlighted the hard work and contribution of Nunez through an assist to Salah for Liverpool to equalize against Arsenal. He said:
“I just said that both teams didn’t have that many chances so us scoring both twice shows you the quality of the players on the pitch. But coming back to Mo, yeah, it was a great ball from Trent [Alexander-Arnold] as well, a great assist and run from Darwin [Nunez], who hasn’t played that many games and for him to play three in a row and to be able to put so much energy into the game – that probably tells us and me a lot how hard he worked in the previous weeks.”
Nunez is playing a make-or-break season under Slot with everything to prove but nothing to lose at the same time. The Uruguayan has faced unjust criticism in social media but remains a fan favourite at Anfield with Kopites accepting his strengths and weaknesses.
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However, contributing consistently with goals and assists is a key factor for anyone who dons the Red jersey as a number nine. Nunez has all the technical ability and athleticism to fulfil his incredible potential if he can just channel his emotions right.
