Three words can describe Darwin Nunez but Liverpool debate is now over
Inconsistent. Infuriating. Irrepressible. All three words might have been used to describe Darwin Nunez over the course of his Liverpool career so far.
Against Arsenal, though, the Uruguayan turned in a performance that should absolutely put to bed debate about whether he has the credentials to be a major influence for the Reds this term.
Even before the trip to the Emirates, it had been a good week for the striker. After being called off the bench to replace the injured Diogo Jota against Chelsea last weekend, he put in a mammoth shift to help Liverpool over the line at Anfield, without ever really troubling Robert Sanchez in the Londoners’ goal. Three days later, he was the match-winner at the Red Bull Arena as the Reds battled to a 1-0 victory over RB Leipzig.
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With Jota still sidelined, there was little doubt that Liverpool’s No.9 would be afforded a starting berth against Arsenal and, while he didn’t get on the scoresheet, his work-rate and hold-up play was essential in helping his side getting a result in the capital.
That he managed to cap off his display with an assist for Mohamed Salah shows what an asset he can be at the top end of the pitch. Certainly, Arne Slot will hope this is the beginning of a productive spell in the final third for Nunez.
Bold midfield call
When Jurgen Klopp named a midfield three of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones at the Emirates last term, he did so out of necessity.
An injury to Dominik Szoboszlai, coupled with Wataru Endo’s involvement in the AFC Asian Cup, meant that Klopp had to shuffle his pack against the Gunners, and it was the hosts who undoubtedly won the battle in the middle of the park.
Fast-forward to present day, however, and Slot’s decision to name that same midfield trio in this early tussle for the title was a calculated one. Szoboszlai and Endo were both available and yet the Dutchman opted to give Jones the nod alongside the tried and trusted Mac Allister and Gravenberch.
It was a big call and one that did not pay off in the first half as Arsenal dominated the midfield, with Liverpool second to almost every ball.
With that in mind, it was a bold decision not to make any changes to the engine room at the break, but Slot was vindicated as the trio upped their performance levels considerably, while Szoboszlai and Endo’s introduction in the second half helped the Reds to first control and then see out the game.
Konate shines again
The last time Ibrahima Konate visited the Emirates, it was a day to forget for the Frenchman. He was dismissed late on for twice fouling Kai Havertz, making it virtually impossible for Liverpool to mount a comeback against their title rivals.
It marked the beginning of a quite significant decline in form for the defender, who lost his place in the starting line-up to Jarell Quansah in the latter months of the campaign. It has been a different story this term, though, with Konate one of Liverpool’s most improved performers under Slot.
And he was arguably the Reds’ player of the match on Sunday afternoon, dominating aerially and stifling a number of promising Arsenal attacks. His early success in a foot race with the tricky Gabriel Martinelli set the tone for another accomplished display, with the importance of keeping the Frenchman fit becoming clearer with every passing week.
Often compared with his countryman William Saliba - ineligible to feature following his red card against Bournemouth last week - Konate is beginning to prove he can mix it with some of the best central defenders in world football.