Paul Robinson feels Darwin Nunez is now only ‘one or two goals’ shy from coming good for Liverpool. His relationship with Mohamed Salah also offered promise against Leicester City.
The Reds edged the Foxes 2-1 at Anfield on Friday night but only after two own goals from Wout Faes. A disastrous night from the centre-back saw Jurgen Klopp’s squad pip Brendan Rodgers’. Even after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall raced through to hand Leicester an early lead.
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Both teams produced a myriad of chances to add to the scoreline yet no Liverpool player would beat Danny Ward. Instead, the Merseyside natives earned a slice of luck when Faes ignored his goalkeeper’s shout to leave a harmless cross and the ball looped into the net.
Faes could have ignored Trent Alexander-Arnold’s delivery and allowed Ward to collect it without any hassle. His night would then get worse on the cusp of half-time as Faes could only bundle the ball into his net again. Nunez’s chipped effort had come back off the post.
Nunez was involved in many of Liverpool’s attacks as they sought to build some distance to Leicester. But the Reds’ £64m, rising up to £85m, summer transfer from Benfica would not make use of his chances. The 23-year-old also attempted more shots than any other player.
Darwin Nunez enjoyed his most productive night as Liverpool beat Leicester City
Per WhoScored, Nunez attempted a game-high seven shots as Liverpool came from behind to beat Leicester at Anfield on Friday. Salah fashioned the next-most for the Reds with four ahead of Alexander-Arnold (3). While Dewsbury-Hall (3) led the Foxes to Harvey Barnes (2).
Nunez has not attempted more shots in a single Premier League game since his transfer to Merseyside in June. WhoScored registers his previous-best total of shots in one game at six against Everton, West Ham United and Aston Villa. His least after starting a fixture is three.
But the closest Nunez came to turning a shot into the goal against Leicester was when the Liverpool striker hit the crossbar. He lacked the composure to beat Ward from the edge of the Foxes’ box. The 16-cap Uruguayan also has five goals in his 12 Premier League games.
Paul Robinson could see promise in Darwin Nunez’s display at home to the Foxes
Yet Robinson saw a solid amount of promise in Nunez’s display leading Liverpool’s attack against Leicester. The ex-Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers star also feels the striker and Salah’s on-field relationship is on the right track after the Foxes clash.
“Nunez couldn’t hit the target tonight,” the former England goalkeeper said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “But his interaction with Mo Salah looked better than I’ve seen previously.
“He played Salah in a couple of times. His confidence, his hold-up play, his runs in behind – he looks like he’s going to be a top-class signing for them. I honestly believe that he’s one or two goals [away] from really kicking off the mark.”
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