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Darwin Nunez left in tears after scoring first Liverpool goal of the season

Darwin Nunez was reduced to tears after scoring his first goal of the season for Liverpool against Bournemouth
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Darwin Nunez was reduced to tears after scoring his first goal of the season for Liverpool against Bournemouth.

The Reds striker was afforded his first start of the campaign for Saturday's clash with the Cherries and marked the occasion with a fabulous strike to put his side three goals to the good by half-time, with Arne Slot's side eventually running out 3-0 winners.

Things couldn't have gone much better after Luis Diaz continued his electric start to the campaign with two goals in as many minutes, yet Nunez produced the sublime by finding the back of the net in the 37th minute.

Picking the ball up on the right-hand side of the pitch after a neat one-two with Mohamed Salah, the 25-year-old continued his run into the opposition box, where he cut inside his man and unleashed a thunderous strike with his weaker left foot into the far corner of the Bournemouth goal.

The immediate smile and relief on Nunez's face was clear to see as Diaz jumped on his back in jubilation, yet by the time the Uruguayan turned back towards the center circle for the restart, he was visibly emotional as he wiped his eyes with his shirt.

Today's game with Bournemouth marked Nunez's first start and first goal of the season and it was obvious just how much it not only meant to him, but how much of a relief it was to finally get his campaign up and running, having been restricted to a place on the bench for the first five games.

The Uruguayan striker had been restricted to just four substitute appearances in all competitions after falling behind Diogo Jota in the pecking order, with the Portuguese forward emerging as Slot's favored option through the middle of the front three.

But having failed to score or assist in his last three games, Jota was dropped to the bench against Bournemouth, allowing Nunez to finally prove his worth and show what he's got by starting from the off against the Cherries.

Nunez has also been subject to his fair share of criticism of late, given he hasn't scored since the 3-1 victory over Sheffield United in April last season and is often prone to missing some gilt-edged chances in a Reds shirt.

But he's finally put those doubts to bed with a wonder strike in Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Bournemouth, and will now be hoping to kick on and cement his place in the starting XI under Slot over the next few games as the Reds continue their hectic schedule.