For many, those 13 minutes plus stoppage time in which Darwin Núñez turned the game on its head at St James’ Park marked the moment he finally arrived as a Liverpool player.
By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com
Nine touches, three accurate passes, two shots, two goals. Outperforming his xG by 1.57.
In truth, that would be a disservice to the year that came before it for a striker who, albeit not living up to the expectations of his £85 million price tag, delivered on a number of occasions for his new club.
Núñez scored 15 goals in 42 games in his first campaign on Merseyside, and along with four assists it meant he averaged a direct goal contribution every 124.5 minutes across all competitions.
There was a blistering cameo on his Premier League debut against Fulham, a winner against West Ham at Anfield, two goals from the left flank against Southampton, a brace in the 7-0 humiliation of Manchester United and a sumptuous touch and finish to cap a 6-1 mauling of Leeds.
In the Champions League, the Uruguayan netted in four consecutive games, culminating with a stunning flick beyond Thibaut Courtois in the eventual 5-2 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg of the last 16.
Núñez was never a flop, but the closing weeks of 2022/23 confirmed that he had yet to fully earn Jürgen Klopp’s trust. He started just three of a possible 12 games across April and May, missing three through injury. The manager repeatedly stressed that the “ticket” into his side was application off the ball – not just on it – and the signing of Cody Gakpo in January provided the prime example.
That set up the narrative of Núñez recapturing Klopp’s imagination with a star turn against Newcastle, with two goals from the bench to seal a 2-1 win for a side with 10 men, and has led to calls for the 24-year-old to reclaim his starting spot.
If Núñez is chaos, Gakpo has been calm and control. The Dutchman has proved a revelation since his £37 million arrival from PSV Eindhoven, joining as a prolific left winger and immediately converted to Roberto Firmino’s deep-dropping false nine role, adding his own slant standing 6’4” with delicate touch, close control and an eye for goal. A stark contrast to Núñez’s bulldozing brand of centre-forward play.
Núñez and Gakpo have shared the pitch on 18 occasions so far for Liverpool but are yet to combine for a goal, with there a growing sense that it is one or the other for Klopp’s starting lineup.
That raises the debate over who can earn first-choice status this season, inheriting the spot vacated by Firmino as part of an evolution in the Reds’ forward ranks.
In Núñez, Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota, Liverpool arguably boast the best attacking depth in Europe, with Klopp able to call upon five proven, elite-level forwards all with very different skillsets.
So far this season, Díaz and Salah have started all three games on either flank, while Jota took up centre-forward duties until Gakpo was able to step forward from midfield for the trip to Newcastle. Núñez’s drop down the pecking order was inarguable, but there is a wider belief that his impact at St James’ Park should change that.
The question of Núñez or Gakpo (or Jota, for that matter) in the central role should not have a binary answer, however.
Núñez should not take over from Gakpo, as such. More so that his brace on Tyneside serves as a reminder of the unique quality that he can offer both from the bench and as a starter. For Klopp, it will be further proof that he is able to chop and change his attacking trio for any particular challenge.
Núñez may have claimed the No. 9 shirt over the summer, but there is no longer a bona fide first choice within Liverpool’s ranks – and that should be seen as a positive.
“The thing is, it’s early in the season, we need to find stability, we need to find a formation, we need to get results,” Klopp told Sky Sports after the victory over Newcastle.
“And then we’ll play every three days anyway and everybody will play, there’s no doubt about that. Even if Darwin would have started the first three games, he would not have played more games afterwards because of the intensity. He can’t.”
The manager later added: “This is a completely new team, new key players, that’s how it is. So that needs time.”
An unbeaten start, including trips to both Stamford Bridge and St James’ Park, has given Liverpool the platform to build that stability. Perhaps now, with the likes of Thiago, Stefan Bajčetić and Curtis Jones returning to fitness and the prospect of further additions in midfield, Klopp can look to diversify his options.
Núñez’s explosive pace and movement off the shoulder of defenders does not suit the battle against a deep-sitting, organised defence, but as shown against Newcastle, he can thrive driving into space. The upcoming visit of Aston Villa, who employ a progressive, high line under Unai Emery, could be perfect for the Uruguayan.
But for those other challenges – such as the trip to Wolves after the international break – Liverpool may benefit more from the roaming interplay of Gakpo, with the likes of Salah and Díaz moving off him.
Having both options is of paramount importance, particularly for a campaign that includes a return to the Europa League and the tight turnaround between fixtures from Thursdays to Sundays. Watch Núñez shine in Europe, where the style of those encounters could play into his hands, while Gakpo is preferred for high-profile clashes with the likes of the Manchester clubs, where structure is key.
Liverpool have perhaps never boasted as much depth in their attacking ranks, and while it appears only three – four, at a push – can fit into the starting lineup at any one time, Klopp would never see this as a headache.
He doesn’t need to identify a ‘first choice’ up front. In Núñez, Gakpo and even Jota or Salah, he has solutions for every possible scenario.
(Images from IMAGO)
To keep up to date with everything Liverpool, make sure you click follow on the team profile in the FotMob app. Download the free app here.