Darwin Núñez | Liverpool player | Fighter

Yes, but if this issue has lasted for 2 years playing under the best and most attacking manager the club have had for decades, things can only go downhill from here.
Seems quite an assumption - he's having a good season but I think Pool fans are getting a bit emotional as it's klopp's farewell tour. He's played a mix of off the left and central and is on 11 goals in 34 PL games, so 1 in 3, with 8 assists, that's a bloody good season already for a 24 year old. It's worth noting he's hit the woodwork 9 times as well, that's just odd. I think he'll be a top player, hopefully not at Liverpool though.
 
Seems quite an assumption - he's having a good season but I think Pool fans are getting a bit emotional as it's klopp's farewell tour. He's played a mix of off the left and central and is on 11 goals in 34 PL games, so 1 in 3, with 8 assists, that's a bloody good season already for a 24 year old. It's worth noting he's hit the woodwork 9 times as well, that's just odd. I think he'll be a top player, hopefully not at Liverpool though.

For someone who came up from the academy, sure. But they spent 75 million on him.

Since they're not City to spend this much on squad players, I assume that they wanted him to make a big difference at the sharp end of the season.
 
18 goals in all competitions this season.
We're probably not much higher if you count our entire front line.
 
For someone who came up from the academy, sure. But they spent 75 million on him.

Since they're not City to spend this much on squad players, I assume that they wanted him to make a big difference at the sharp end of the season.
£75m on him seems solid even if he just stayed at this level though, he should finish the season on 20+ G/A (11G, 8A) in the PL whilst being part of a front line that accommodates Salah somewhat.
Last season he was on 12G/A (9G, 3A) in the league but was saved by a decent CL run of 4 in 8, not dissimilar to Hojlund first season if you think about it.

If you have a striker at that age who is 1 in 3 in the league and 1 in 2 in Europe, you aren't complaining. The issue is there's the hypothetical of 'if' he'd scored this or that goal they might be in the title race but their issue is not goals, it's their massively overrated defence.
 
Seems quite an assumption - he's having a good season but I think Pool fans are getting a bit emotional as it's klopp's farewell tour. He's played a mix of off the left and central and is on 11 goals in 34 PL games, so 1 in 3, with 8 assists, that's a bloody good season already for a 24 year old. It's worth noting he's hit the woodwork 9 times as well, that's just odd. I think he'll be a top player, hopefully not at Liverpool though.

To be fair, Rodri has 7G/9A and Rice has 7G/8A. 11G/8A for a forward isn’t something to trumpet.

He’s been a bit of a disaster this season. He does sometimes look powerful and borderline unplayable at times, but rarely for whole matches and never for multiple games on the spin.

With that said, I do really rate him and think a different manager could get a lot more out of him. Would love him at United. He always gives 100% and is so much fun to watch. Proper throwback.
 
£75m on him seems solid even if he just stayed at this level though, he should finish the season on 20+ G/A (11G, 8A) in the PL whilst being part of a front line that accommodates Salah somewhat.
Last season he was on 12G/A (9G, 3A) in the league but was saved by a decent CL run of 4 in 8, not dissimilar to Hojlund first season if you think about it.

If you have a striker at that age who is 1 in 3 in the league and 1 in 2 in Europe, you aren't complaining. The issue is there's the hypothetical of 'if' he'd scored this or that goal they might be in the title race but their issue is not goals, it's their massively overrated defence.
He’s fortunate to play along side players like Salah, who create tonnes of great chances for him. Salah must be pulling his hair out. I’ve just watched match of the day and, like clockwork, Salah creates a one on one for him and he fluffs it.
 
18 goals this season ….superstar compared to most at Utd
 
To be fair, Rodri has 7G/9A and Rice has 7G/8A. 11G/8A for a forward isn’t something to trumpet.

He’s been a bit of a disaster this season. He does sometimes look powerful and borderline unplayable at times, but rarely for whole matches and never for multiple games on the spin.

With that said, I do really rate him and think a different manager could get a lot more out of him. Would love him at United. He always gives 100% and is so much fun to watch. Proper throwback.
That might be more how the role of midfielders vs forwards is changing though, these DMs are now becoming the extra man when teams attack (and in Rice's case has actually just moved position to an 8 it seems) and forwards are tasked with more and more defensive/pressing responsibilities.

I'm going to call you out on the use of the word 'disaster' there and ask, politely of course, for you to name the forwards who have outperformed him in G+A. Without looking it up I don't think it will be many when you take away penalties and that's without factoring in his role isn't a primary goalscorer like Haaland, Watkins or Isak etc. he's doing a lot of defensive work and accommodating Salah somewhat.
 
That might be more how the role of midfielders vs forwards is changing though, these DMs are now becoming the extra man when teams attack (and in Rice's case has actually just moved position to an 8 it seems) and forwards are tasked with more and more defensive/pressing responsibilities.

I'm going to call you out on the use of the word 'disaster' there and ask, politely of course, for you to name the forwards who have outperformed him in G+A. Without looking it up I don't think it will be many when you take away penalties and that's without factoring in his role isn't a primary goalscorer like Haaland, Watkins or Isak etc. he's doing a lot of defensive work and accommodating Salah somewhat.

Sure thing. It’s ugly.

Haaland
Isak
Palmer
Watkins
Solanke
Salah
Son
Saka
Bowen
Alvarez
Bailey
Havertz
Foden
Gordon

A few on there that have some penalties but (not because we disagree), I can’t abide by the removal of penalties unless it’s something like Palmer which is an oddity. Nunez took one and missed one this year in the league. It’s his fault he hasn’t had more (though I do think he’s a good penalty taker).

Cunha and Trossard are close and would have been in front had they played more.

He cost £75m mate. It’s a terrible return in a pretty poor season (disaster was OTT). He’s a number 9 and isn’t playing there routinely as he’s been so bad there.

Fair point on Rice and Rodri though. I’ve picked two outrageously good seasons from them and it’s a little unfair.
 
There are some players that just can’t score for your own team but will score boatloads-for other teams. Then there are the players that score a ton but fizzle out when they leave. I think Nunez will probably score plenty of goals for another team just not us unfortunately. He gets into positions to score and looks to be handful to play against but just couldn’t convert whether by bad luck or just awful decision making or by being offsides so many times too many to count. I have a feeling he will do really well somewhere else.
Forlan was like that for us.
 
Chance he goes the way of Costa or Drogba and improves his finishing in the next year or so to complement his physical abilities - even then, someone like Drogba was averaging per season (league and cup) for Chelsea not much more than DN is now.,
 
Sure thing. It’s ugly.

Haaland
Isak
Palmer
Watkins
Solanke
Salah
Son
Saka
Bowen
Alvarez
Bailey
Havertz
Foden
Gordon

A few on there that have some penalties but (not because we disagree), I can’t abide by the removal of penalties unless it’s something like Palmer which is an oddity. Nunez took one and missed one this year in the league. It’s his fault he hasn’t had more (though I do think he’s a good penalty taker).

Cunha and Trossard are close and would have been in front had they played more.

He cost £75m mate. It’s a terrible return in a pretty poor season (disaster was OTT). He’s a number 9 and isn’t playing there routinely as he’s been so bad there.

Fair point on Rice and Rodri though. I’ve picked two outrageously good seasons from them and it’s a little unfair.
Solanke I think is actually level or 1 behind him without penalties? I’m assuming you didn’t actually check this and just posted the combined G+A of everyone above him?

So if you go through that list you have the main attacking outlets/central strikers I.e. Haaland, Isak, Watkins, Bowen, Salah, Saka etc. the ones that surprise me would be Gordon, Alvarez, Bailey and Havertz given they also play more supporting attacking role. I’m not surprised by Foden obviously.

Not going to check now as game on but I’d wager there’s a few more penos you’ve missed.
 
Solanke I think is actually level or 1 behind him without penalties? I’m assuming you didn’t actually check this and just posted the combined G+A of everyone above him?

So if you go through that list you have the main attacking outlets/central strikers I.e. Haaland, Isak, Watkins, Bowen, Salah, Saka etc. the ones that surprise me would be Gordon, Alvarez, Bailey and Havertz given they also play more supporting attacking role. I’m not surprised by Foden obviously.

Not going to check now as game on but I’d wager there’s a few more penos you’ve missed.

Oh no mate, I didn’t check penalties at all. Just know that Palmer has loads. I’m not a prick and I don’t think we’re arguing, just disagreeing over something unimportant.

To me, £75m in his second season, Nunez should not have anything like that many people outperforming him. However, I firmly believe he’s a player that’ll put up 20+ goals and 10 assists in the league. Hence why I think this is a shit season for him.
 
Oh no mate, I didn’t check penalties at all. Just know that Palmer has loads. I’m not a prick and I don’t think we’re arguing, just disagreeing over something unimportant.

To me, £75m in his second season, Nunez should not have anything like that many people outperforming him. However, I firmly believe he’s a player that’ll put up 20+ goals and 10 assists in the league. Hence why I think this is a shit season for him.
By outperforming though, you have to remember most of those players you mentioned play in a setup where the setup is geared towards them scoring/creating. Haaland obviously has the most extreme version of this but if you're only being outscored by those guys and then a few elite others like Foden or Palmer in this wonder season he's having (although without pens maybe they're equal) it's not bad.

I guess I think it's a good season and thought 'disaster' was a bit over the top. Basically if you're scoring or creating about 15-20% of your teams goals as a striker who is also doing a lot defensively, you're fine. If he had Haaland's role but put up those numbers I'd think it more of a disaster.
 
By outperforming though, you have to remember most of those players you mentioned play in a setup where the setup is geared towards them scoring/creating. Haaland obviously has the most extreme version of this but if you're only being outscored by those guys and then a few elite others like Foden or Palmer in this wonder season he's having (although without pens maybe they're equal) it's not bad.

I guess I think it's a good season and thought 'disaster' was a bit over the top. Basically if you're scoring or creating about 15-20% of your teams goals as a striker who is also doing a lot defensively, you're fine. If he had Haaland's role but put up those numbers I'd think it more of a disaster.

14 players in that list mate, none of them cost more than him. It’s been a grim season.

He was signed to be Liverpools number 9 and he’s failing. I don’t think we make excuses that he’s not the focal point of their attack. He has been. He’s failed, and been punted out wide as he’s been an ineffective 9. He’s fluffing his lines right now.

He’ll get it together. Either at Liverpool or elsewhere. He’s talented, no doubt about it. You and I just have different thresholds.
 
14 players in that list mate, none of them cost more than him. It’s been a grim season.

He was signed to be Liverpools number 9 and he’s failing. I don’t think we make excuses that he’s not the focal point of their attack. He has been. He’s failed, and been punted out wide as he’s been an ineffective 9. He’s fluffing his lines right now.

He’ll get it together. Either at Liverpool or elsewhere. He’s talented, no doubt about it. You and I just have different thresholds.
For sure we do - I guess I feel you aren't really putting any context into this but just saying x,y,z have these stats so it's bad for him. He's in the Firmino role so not sure I agree or see why you think he'd suddenly be a classic 9, especially when he does so much off the ball running?

Given how bad the game is I checked some of your names - the ones which surprised me - and there's a reason they were surprising...they aren't above him.

Kai Havertz. 11 open play goals, 6 assists (so 2 behind).
Bailey. 10 open play goals, 9 assists (level)
Gordon. 9 open play goals, 10 assists (level)
Alvarez.9 open play goals, 10 assists (1 behind)
Solanke as mentioned is also behind when you take away penos.

So really he's behind the best 9's and Palmer/Foden/Salah and that's really it.
 
For sure we do - I guess I feel you aren't really putting any context into this but just saying x,y,z have these stats so it's bad for him. He's in the Firmino role so not sure I agree or see why you think he'd suddenly be a classic 9, especially when he does so much off the ball running?

Given how bad the game is I checked some of your names - the ones which surprised me - and there's a reason they were surprising...they aren't above him.

Kai Havertz. 11 open play goals, 6 assists (so 2 behind).
Bailey. 10 open play goals, 9 assists (level)
Gordon. 9 open play goals, 10 assists (level)
Alvarez.9 open play goals, 10 assists (1 behind)
Solanke as mentioned is also behind when you take away penos.

So really he's behind the best 9's and Palmer/Foden/Salah and that's really it.

Give over, he’s not in the Firminho role. He’d never have been signed as a replacement for him. He’s an out and out number 9 who’s failing

I don’t think you can discount penalties (unless it’s an outlier) if you’re not looking at what the assist are. If he gets fouled for a penalty and Salah scores it, why do we cou assist but not the penalty as meaningful? If he plays a two yard pass to Salah who then skips past two players and bends one into the top corner, how is that more meaningful than having the nerve to take and score a penalty.

They’re broken metrics as they’re no unifying context.

Again, I think we both agree he’s great. But these mental contortions to justify a poor return is no good for either of us.

It’s all good man. I just can’t imagine a scenario that sees £75m buy you such a little return. Because he’s simply not involved the way that Firminho was, or Havertz is. I think he has a bright future. If he just trucks along at his current output he’s been a huge waste of money for me.
 
Give over, he’s not in the Firminho role. He’d never have been signed as a replacement for him. He’s an out and out number 9 who’s failing

I don’t think you can discount penalties (unless it’s an outlier) if you’re not looking at what the assist are. If he gets fouled for a penalty and Salah scores it, why do we cou assist but not the penalty as meaningful? If he plays a two yard pass to Salah who then skips past two players and bends one into the top corner, how is that more meaningful than having the nerve to take and score a penalty.

They’re broken metrics as they’re no unifying context.

Again, I think we both agree he’s great. But these mental contortions to justify a poor return is no good for either of us.

It’s all good man. I just can’t imagine a scenario that sees £75m buy you such a little return. Because he’s simply not involved the way that Firminho was, or Havertz is. I think he has a bright future. If he just trucks along at his current output he’s been a huge waste of money for me.
I'll give you he's more of a 9 than Firmino but he's still very wide ranging in his role off the ball.

This is breaking down a bit now...assists are the same for everyone, unless you want to go through hundreds of goals and assists individually and rank them it seems a bit of vague thing to say. Penalties are taken out because he doesn't take them, if he did it would be fair.

Not sure on the wording of mental contortions, my point has been quite simple - non penalty goals and assists he's not been a "disaster", especially given his role. To counter this you gave a list of which many of those players were incorrect and are now saying not all assists are equal, forgive me but it's not compelled me to change my mind. Could he do better, hitting the post 9 times suggests yes! But then, again, the issue they aren't in the race is down to their defence not attack.
 
I'll give you he's more of a 9 than Firmino but he's still very wide ranging in his role off the ball.

This is breaking down a bit now...assists are the same for everyone, unless you want to go through hundreds of goals and assists individually and rank them it seems a bit of vague thing to say. Penalties are taken out because he doesn't take them, if he did it would be fair.

Not sure on the wording of mental contortions, my point has been quite simple - non penalty goals and assists he's not been a "disaster", especially given his role. To counter this you gave a list of which many of those players were incorrect and are now saying not all assists are equal, forgive me but it's not compelled me to change my mind. Could he do better, hitting the post 9 times suggests yes! But then, again, the issue they aren't in the race is down to their defence not attack.

All good man
 
He just plays on instinct. Can't take a breath at all.

Right at the end of yesterday's game he was through and Vicario was racing out of his box. Could've just taken it round him or even chipped him. Instead it's the usual head right down and blasted the ball straight at him. There was another occasion where he was wide and coming into the box and just had to lay it across to Salah for a tap in. Instead again head down and just smashes it against Romero.

Right at the start of the season it finally looked to be clicking with those two goals v Newcastle, especially the one on one v Pope where he did dink it over him very nicely. Was also playing well for Uruguay in the qualifiers.

Total false dawn and this just looks his general level to me which won't be good enough for them post Salah.
 
He'd be great for Spurs. They should spend the Kane money on him.

I think Richarlison is better (and he isn't top tier). He can at least stay onside most of the time when making runs and finish o.k.
 
I respect him for doing that when there is some absolute scum trying to attack your friends and family (young children).

I'd be surprised if there are any posters on here who wouldn't try to protect their family in the same scenario.