The enigma that is Darwin Nunez continues to baffle and frustrate Liverpool fans - only now, patience looks to be wearing thin among many supporters.
The Uruguayan has come in for more criticism following his latest showing against Girona in the Champions League.
Seeing the 25-year-old spurn chances is nothing new, but the sheer lack of goals this season means many fans are at the end of their tether with him.
Just three goals in 19 appearances this season is certainly not a great return for a No.9
He retains the backing of Arne Slot, although even the Liverpool head coach is starting to notice problems creeping into his performances.
Slot:
"It's not just him,"
"When you miss the chances he did on Tuesday, everybody then needs an arm around you, whether it's from a teammate, from the fans or the manager.
“That's clear, but I also made it clear to him, he's not only judged on the goals he scores but on the team performance.
“He adds something to the team performance with his work rate, and how much he does for us winning the ball back high up the pitch.
"Ideally he would have scored a few more goals but maybe in a few weeks you'll ask me why Mo isn't scoring anymore and Darwin is scoring every week. It's the life of a number nine.
“Sometimes you score, sometimes you don't.”
"But what should always be there is work rate and he has had that, apart from two games.
“First one against Las Palmas (in pre-season) and then the last half hour against Girona, wasn't up to standards he should have and that was due to the disappointment he had after missing chances."
Slot’s predecessor, though, was determined to stick by him.
Jurgen Klopp insisted Nunez would eventually come good, having found himself defending the striker on a number of occasions during his last couple of years in charge
In fact, the German drew comparisons with Robert Lewandowski after working with the prolific forward during their time at Borussia Dortmund.
Klopp
"There are a lot of similarities to be honest," Klopp said back in 2022.
"I think Lewy would tell the same story. We had shooting sessions where he didn't finish off one.
“We had bets all the time for 10 euros - 'if you score more than 10 times, I will pay you 10; if you don't, you have to pay me'. My pocket was full of money!
“It's all about staying calm. When you see the potential, stay calm."
Klopp added: "I think we all agree that the potential is so obvious. But it is all coming. You do it like this, the next time you do it like that.
“I had this situation with Lewy but it is not only Lewy. He is the obvious comparison, I understand. It's just about staying calm and I am super calm.
“The team is calm as well, the team is completely convinced and that's really cool."
In his third season at Liverpool now, supporters are still waiting for that potential to translate into consistency on the pitch
Comments