Darwin Nunez’s turbulent season hit a new low on Tuesday night for Liverpool. The Uruguayan star’s missed penalty in the shootout against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield ultimately led to the Reds’ elimination from the Champions League on home soil, and as a result, the French media gave him a meagre 1/10 rating for his performances.
Nunez contributed significantly to Liverpool’s victory over the run of play in Paris last week thanks to his top-drawer assist for Harvey Elliott at the Parc des Princes. However, even though the Reds had a one-goal lead going into the match, Ousmane Dembele’s equaliser on aggregate sent the game all the way to penalties, with Nunez and Curtis Jones missing from 12 yards out.
The performance of Darwin Nunez is ridiculed by French media outlets.
One of the two Liverpool players to miss the spot was the talisman.
It’s the most recent installment in Nunez’s dismal season. His confidence will not have been boosted by the numerous easy opportunities he missed throughout the campaign in all competitions, and he appeared upset when Gianluigi Donnarumma saved his effort.
Premier League stats for Darwin Nunez: Liverpool squad ranking
Statistics
Results
Squad rank
Looks
23
The eleventh
Objectives
5.
= 4th
Each Game’s Key Passes
0.3
= 14th
Per-Game Shots
1.3
7th
Dribbles Per Game
0.3
=10th
Match rating
6.56
=16th
And two different French media outlets have not held back on the striker, with one stating that the former Benfica man looked ‘clumsy’ in the game, with another adding that the talisman ‘constantly chose the wrong option’. Firstly, publication Maxifoot wrote:
“Clumsy in the game, the Uruguayan was checked by Donnarumma during the penalty shootout.”
Meanwhile, Homme Du Match stated that his performance was reflected by Donnarumma being equal to his effort and gave him a mere 1/10 for his outing that kickstarted PSG’s advancement to the quarter-finals. They added:
“Nunez (1). A completely missed entry into the game, where he constantly chose the wrong option. His missed shot on goal reflects his performance.”
With Diogo Jota failing to impress on the night either – with Maxifoot giving him a 3.5 rating and Homme Du Match a simple 4/10 – it’s highlighted Liverpool’s need for a new striker in the summer transfer window under Arne Slot.
Despite being referred to as “world-class” by Guillem Balague in the past, Nunez seems to have run his course at Anfield. It is unclear who the club will sign permanently in the summer, despite recent rumours that Alexander Isak of Newcastle United may be joining.
xz
