‘I’m not the worst’ – but is Nunez too wasteful for Liverpool?
“I wasn’t the best three weeks ago, and I’m not the worst now.”
That is how Darwin Nunez fram the disappointment he experienced as Liverpool missed the chance to go 10 points clear in the Premier League title race in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
The Uruguay striker’s wastefulness in front of goal, a persistent concern since he joined for an initial £64m in 2022, again reared its head as he blazed over from six yards with the target gaping at Villa Park.
It is only one month, though, since Nunez produced stoppage-time heroics with a late double to clinch a 2-0 win at Brentford and strengthen the Reds’ grip in top spot.
But his miss, which had an หากคุณสนใจเล่นพนันออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด สามารถสมัครสมาชิก UFABET ได้ที่นี่ พร้อมรับโปรโมชั่นพิเศษสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ expect goals value (xG) of 0.75. Meaning he would be expected to score 75% of the time in that scenario – was described as “one of the worst we’ve seen this year”
It also left head coach Arne Slot with his head in his hands. He later lamented the loss of two points.
For Slot, however, this was less about Nunez’s miss and much more about the impact it had on the player.
“I can accept every miss, especially from a player that scored two very important goals against Brentford,” he said on Thursday.
“What was a bit harder for me to accept was his behaviour after that chance. I think it got too much in his head. He wasn’t the usual Darwin that works his ass off and helps the team. I think he was too disappointed.”
It all means Arsenal can cut Liverpool’s lead to five points. When they host West Ham on Saturday.
Slot’s side. Who have play one game more than the Gunners, visit Manchester City on Sunday. Before hosting Newcastle United in midweek.