Darwin Nunez doing exactly what Arne Slot and Liverpool want him to at Copa America
Darwin Nunez can’t stop scoring for Uruguay and now has goals in seven consecutive appearances for his nation, and Arne Slot will be coping his Copa America form continues
Darwin Nunez continued his goalscoring form for Uruguay and is joint-top scorer in Copa America.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez scored during a 5-0 blitz against Bolivia on Thursday, all but confirming the top spot for Uruguay in its Copa America group.
After beating Panama 3-1 in the Copa America opener, Uruguay, and Nunez, continued their fine scoring form. Manchester United’s Facundo Pellistri scored the opener after just eight minutes, and Nunez doubled the lead with a left-footed strike after a neat through ball from Maximiliano Araujo.
Uruguay punished a tired Bolivia late on, as Araujo, Federico Valverde, and Rodrigo Bentancur all scored in the final 15 minutes. Nunez is in the form of his life for Uruguay and scored for the seventh game in a row on Thursday night, showing new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot everything he needs to see ahead of next season.
Nunez, 25, joined Liverpool for a club-record $107 million fee back in 2022 and has scored 20 goals in 65 Premier League appearances. The striker has dipped in and out of form since moving to Liverpool but could be set for a breakthrough season if his Copa America performance levels continue into the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The Uruguayan has never struggled for goalscoring chances at Liverpool, with 192 shots across his 65 Premier League games. Of those 192 shots, 83 have been on target, but it’s the chances missed that have stood out.
Nunez has missed 47 major chances in the Premier League, meaning that every 0.72 games he fails to capitalize in front of goal. But Nunez is adored by Liverpool fans who are certain he will become one of the best strikers in the world, and that could be proven next season.
After making big moves to the Premier League, some strikers take time to find their feet and are faced with regular chances in front of goal. That’s never been an issue with Nunez, and it’s only a matter of time before everything clicks and he becomes lethal in front of goal.
Darwin Nunez is ready to be unleashed next season in the Premier League.
Luck has played a part too, as Nunez has hit the frame of the goal 14 times in 65 games, the most in the Premier League since his move in 2022. With seven consecutive games resulting in a goal on international duty, and 10 across his past eight games, Nunez is starting to find his confidence and evolve into a ruthless No. 9.
Liverpool is anticipating a transitional season under Slot, after nine years under former head coach Jurgen Klopp. While Slot takes time to impose his philosophy, goals will be crucial to secure points, and Nunez seems up to the challenge.
The Uruguayan has the chance to prove to Slot that he deserves to start every game, as Nunez rarely lasted 90 minutes when Klopp was head coach. The entire Liverpool roster joined the team because of Klopp, and Nunez admitted that his departure shocked the locker room.
“We were all a little shocked by Klopp’s departure, no one expected it,” said Nunez. “It is a shame that he is leaving. I personally would like him to leave in a big way, winning things, and it didn’t happen that way. It’s also a shame for the players. I wish him the best in the world.”
