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Liverpool clubs and fans' patience for Darwin Núñez is gradually disappearing.
Liverpool won 1-0 in six UEFA Champions League (UCL) phases in 2024-2025 season against Girona at 2:45 a.m. on the 11th (Korea time). Liverpool won the UCL.
On this day, Liverpool gave Núñez another chance. Núñez attempted to shoot in the seventh minute of the first half after receiving a pass from Ryan Hravanberg, but was blocked by the goalkeeper. Núñez's header in the 35th minute of the first half made fans frustrated. I drew the trajectory of Curtis Jones' cross falling from above after it was deflected. Núñez tried a header to connect to his teammates, but the critical scoring opportunity was eliminated when it was missed.
He also had difficulty in scoring goals. In the 36th minute of the first half, Núñez missed a one-on-one opportunity in the decisive chance created by Mohamed Salah. The header that came out just before the end of the first half was also missed.
Except for the degree to which Oriolomeu's warning was induced in the 19th minute of the second half, Núñez failed to show any presence in the second half, and was eventually replaced by Cody Hakpo in the 20th minute of the second half.
After the match, England's The Athletic said "Nuñez's performance is becoming increasingly concerning at a time when Liverpool can challenge for the biggest championship. Núñez's professional demeanor made his fans fully support him. Fans are eager for Núñez to succeed. But even among Núñez's big fans, patience is running out," he reported.
Liverpool paid 85 million euros (W128 billion) to sign Nuñez in the summer of 2022. It was a huge contract worth 100 million euros (about 150.6 billion won) if all the bonus provisions were triggered. It was the highest transfer fee in Liverpool history. At the time, Núñez was highly anticipated with Erling Holan.
In his first season, however, Núñez did not even score 10 goals in the league. It was a season where he couldn't even stand out as a main player. Fans cheered for Núñez, saying she was adjusting, but Núñez's offensive points did not improve significantly last season. It is only three goals in 19 games this season.
Still, Núñez is one of the hardest players on the field. The pressure is also very sincere. The range of activities is also very wide, making a lot of contributions to the team's defense. But it's what Liverpool fans want from Núñez. If you can't do that, it's hard to play as a main striker in Liverpool.
The Athletic added "In Núñez's case, a big decision seems to be coming for Liverpool next summer. For Liverpool, a player with such a price tag should be more than a decent replacement`Liverpool may consider selling Núñez.
rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com
