It’s been a month since Darwin Nunez made his last start, and after three games off the bench, fans feel he should be back against the Rangers.
Since making his £85m move from Benfica, becoming the club’s most expensive signing in history, Núñez has only made two competitive starts for Liverpool.
They technically returned back to back, with the Uruguayan returning directly to the team after a three-match suspension, starting against Crystal Palace and Everton.
But the striker is flattered to cheat when asked, and with Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino impressing in his place, Nunez has been left with cameo appearances in the last three games.
After a total of 53 minutes on the pitch against Napoli, Ajax and Brighton, concerns could be raised about how the No. 27 reclaims his place.
However, Rangers’ visit in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with Liverpool under the spotlight at Anfield, could provide an ideal opportunity to test Nunez again.
Is the Rangers game ideal to give Darwin Nunez a start?
— This is Anfield (@thisisanfield) October 3, 2022
At the time of writing, 95 per cent of voters agree that is the case, following a poll on This Is Anfield’s Twitter timeline.
The general consensus is that there would be no better time to start Nunez than at home against the bottom of Group A:
Yeah. Slightly lesser opposition in terms of skill (no disrespect to Rangers, as a club they’re huge).
If not now when? If we were winning but Nunez wasn’t in it, I could take him out. The team is struggling, so let’s use these games to integrate it.
— Call The Kop (@CallTheKop99) October 3, 2022
Even if he made mistakes, I have a feeling that he really wants to show and play for us on the pitch and that’s what we need at the moment.
— ElsassScouser (@JrdnAlice) October 3, 2022
Yes. He has to get a career at some point. https://t.co/cE7GQN05fc
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) October 3, 2022
Not just Rangers, Nunez has to start every game.
— Sunday Londezya (@SundayLondezya) October 3, 2022
If it doesn’t start here when does it
— Ricky (@razorblue) October 3, 2022
Many expect a change in formation to spark an upturn in Liverpool’s fortunes, with Nunez leading the line in a 4-2-3-1:
The only way Nunez will gain confidence is to play him. Him sitting on the bench is no good for him, playing him in a 4-2-3-1 with Bobby behind him with Diaz and Salah wide open.
— ROBBERY (@97_BULLDOG_97) October 3, 2022
Play 4231 with Núñez, Díaz, Jota and Salah. I would also like to see Arthur get some minutes. https://t.co/AYQPD2TFEA
— Josh Poland (@JoshDrewPoland) October 3, 2022
It should start with Bobby at 4231
— Pass the ball like number 6 (@jhs49381) October 3, 2022
It’s hard. He’s clearly having trouble adjusting to England, but I think he’ll come in handy if he gets minutes. firmino is in top form though, it’s hard to justify dropping him
personally i would play them both i would put bobby behind darwin in a 4-2-3-1 https://t.co/oJcVyQk0er
— harriet tubgirl (@bigsnugga) October 3, 2022
However, there is no guarantee that Nunez will start with the atmosphere when Rangers head to Anfield for the first time in a competitive game, which could add to the pressure on a player under fire.
Firmino scored twice in a 3-3 draw with Brighton at the weekend, while Jota assisted on his return to the starting line-up against Ajax, with Jurgen Klopp not short of options up front.
But amid a relentless streak of matches, nine of which will be played in October alone, there must come a time when Nunez gets a chance to claim his place again.
