Many commentators and neutrals alike were all too keen to jump on the ‘Darwin Núñez is a failure’ bandwagon after the Uruguayan’s rocky start in the English top flight.
Following some encouraging words from Jurgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders and some hard yardage in training ground, it is becoming increasingly clear that Liverpool’s £64m outlay on the 23-year-old in the summer window was more than justified. .
If the sight test wasn’t enough for some, the underlying stats behind the striker’s rise should do the job of explaining his recent impact on the pitch and give fans an idea of what to expect after the World Cup.
“The 23-year-old is top of the Premier League table when it comes to total shots per 90 minutes (5.79), shots inside the box (4.46) and shots on goal (2.52). )”, wrote the reporter for The Atlético. “He makes things happen. He has the third highest xG by 90 (0.7) among players who have clocked at least 400 minutes, behind Erling Haaland and Callum Wilson”.
The former Benfica man is set to enter the international scene after registering seven goals in his last 10 appearances for the Reds.
“He is third in the top flight in chances created by 90 (1.93) behind only Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min, and second behind Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus in touches in the opponent’s box by 90 (9.35).” Pearce continued.
READ MORE: What Klopp & Lijnders told Nunez to help inspire phenomenal form
If Nunez builds on his strong side in the first half of the period, we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see his stock rise further in the English game in December.
One thing is for sure ahead of the World Cup: the former Peñarol star is FAR from a failed signing.
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