Nunez’s Miss: A Turning Point in Liverpool’s Season
ARNE SLOT might just come to regret his unwavering faith in Darwin Nunez. Some Liverpool fans have developed a love-hate relationship with the Uruguayan striker, who often finds himself the subject of Scouse irony—hated and loved in equal measure. However, Nunez’s glaring miss in the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa has transformed an eight-point lead into what now feels like a crisis. If Liverpool falters again this season, the days of leniency for Nunez among the fans will undoubtedly come to an end.
The Miss That Shook Anfield
Nunez’s open-goal miss against Aston Villa is a moment that will not be easily forgotten. Standing just a few yards out, with the goal gaping, he managed to blaze over the bar. This miss has not only cost Liverpool crucial points but has also raised questions about the striker’s reliability. Under Slot’s predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, Nunez was notorious for missing "barn doors," a trait that was on full display against Villa. Despite his impressive talents, Nunez’s lack of composure in front of goal has been a recurring issue.
Slot’s Judgment Under Scrutiny
If Slot is not questioning his own judgment over Nunez, he should be. Nunez’s record should have been a red flag. Last season, under Klopp, he scored only once in the last 13 games, a run that started with a crucial 4-3 loss to Manchester United, which cost Liverpool an FA Cup semi-final place. His only goal during that period came in a 3-1 win over Sheffield United, a team that was already relegated. The final straw came in a 1-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace, which dropped Liverpool to third and effectively ended their title hopes. Slot’s decision to back Nunez, despite these warning signs, is starting to look like a significant miscalculation.
The Cost of Overreliance
Slot’s overreliance on Nunez has not gone unnoticed. Last summer, the club should have signed another striker, especially given Diogo Jota’s injury-prone nature. The only recognized frontman in the squad, Jota’s frequent injuries have left Nunez as the primary option. Slot’s only significant addition was the £10m Federico Chiesa, who has been largely ineffective. The lack of a reliable backup striker has now become a critical issue, and Slot may pay the price for not addressing it sooner.
The Fan Reaction
The fan reaction to Nunez’s miss has been swift and harsh. After the Crystal Palace loss, one fan posted on social media, "He’s not alone in this but he was at the scene of every crime with his big, vacant smile and chorus of approval from the Kop. Are we collectively insane? Because at this point I have to say, Darwin, I’m done." Robbie Fowler, a Liverpool legend and 183-goal scorer, also criticized Nunez on talkSPORT, saying, "He’s missed the target, criminally, from seven, eight yards. That can’t be happening. It’s a bad miss. It’s a really bad miss. Probably up there with one of the worst we’ve seen this year."
The Road Ahead
Nunez posted a message on social media, pledging resilience and vowing never to give up as a Liverpool player. However, such declarations will not be enough to win back Slot’s or the fans’ trust. Liverpool’s unbeaten run in 22 Premier League games is impressive, but they have not won at the Etihad since 2015. A loss to Manchester City on Sunday would be a significant setback, and the upcoming home game against Arsenal on May 10 could be decisive. By then, the top of the table could look dramatically different, and what now appears to be blind faith in Nunez may prove to be a costly mistake for Slot.
