Objectively, Darwin Nunez is a proficient centre-forward. One of many bravest, most influential, most tenacious. Factor is, although, Nunez has suffered from some woeful ending throughout the previous two-and-a-years at Liverpool.
Oh to carry the lid and peer throughout the complicated mechanics of this Uruguayan striker. This enigma. Nunez fired two cool strikes previous Mark Flekken on Saturday afternoon, developing trumps for a Liverpool facet that regarded prefer it was heading for a 3rd straight draw within the Premier League.
Liverpool had toiled towards Brentford, whose resistance and togetherness has seen them thrive as soon as once more beneath Thomas Frank‘s wing this season, however had been lastly breached in stoppage time by a ahead who desperately wanted some respite following a troublesome interval.
Nunez doubled his Premier League purpose tally for the season, changing Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s drilled supply earlier than lashing a strike into the within netting moments later, latching onto Harvey Elliott‘s neat move after a devastating break.
However. Liverpool shall be beneath no illusions that Nunez hasn’t been ok this season, nonetheless missing the killer chew within the last third that, admittedly, was on present final outing.
Why Liverpool nonetheless may exchange Nunez
Nunez will play an enormous half in Liverpool’s marketing campaign over the approaching months. Arne Slot revealed throughout his Friday press convention that Diogo Jota had picked up one more health setback, ruling him out of his 12th fixture of the marketing campaign.
Liverpool’s attacking depth secured three invaluable factors to finally prolong their dominant lead on the prime of the Premier League, one thing that was not misplaced on Mikel Arteta and Arsenal because the Londoners squandered a two-goal lead to attract with Aston Villa.
The title, actually, is Anfield’s to lose, and whereas there is a lengthy, crooked street nonetheless forward, Liverpool will solely have themselves in charge in the event that they do fail of their endeavour. Nunez, once more, shall be essential, however his monitor file suggests that there’s a lot work to be completed earlier than he can show himself worthy of being the primary at quantity 9.
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Darwin Nunez – Premier League File |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Apps |
Objectives |
Photographs (on the right track) |
Huge probabilities missed |
|
24/25 |
16 |
4 |
1.6 (0.6) |
3 |
|
23/24 |
36 |
11 |
3.0 (1.3) |
27 |
|
22/23 |
29 |
9 |
2 9 (1.3) |
20 |
|
Stats by way of Sofascore |
||||
The 25-year-old has been linked with a switch to the Saudi Professional League in latest weeks, and whereas his Brentford show serves as a reprieve and a welcome one at that, FSG are nonetheless trawling by means of the marketplace for a brand new top-class ahead.
Transfer Focus
Mega cash offers, controversial strikes and big-name flops. That is the house of switch information and opinion throughout Soccer FanCast.
Liverpool eyeing new ahead
As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are critically contemplating a transfer for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo this yr. The Frenchman is, after all, a topical title after being crushed by the Reds this weekend, however his performances throughout the marketing campaign recommend that he might be excellent for the mission.
It is felt that Frank will forbid Mbeumo from leaving on the season’s midpoint, however affords within the ballpark of £60m may tempt the well-run outfit to money in throughout the summer time.
One of many English prime flight’s standout performers this yr, the 25-year-old is being pursued by a number of rivals, so Liverpool might want to up the ante on the negotiating desk.
What Bryan Mbeumo would carry to Liverpool
Mbeumo’s high quality will certainly be freshly pressed in Liverpool minds after his spectacular efficiency towards Slot’s facet on Saturday, operating Kostas Tsimikas ragged at occasions, with reporter Sam Tabuteau noting that he had “the measure” of the Greek left-back.
Finally, it was a foul day on the workplace for the Bees talisman, who stung Alisson’s palms with four strikes on goal – every, after all, saved.
That does not detract from a wealthy general season that has showcased some excellent ending within the Premier League, with Mbeumo truly rating among the many prime 5% of positional friends within the division for targets scored (0.59) per 90, as per FBref.
He is scored 13 goals within the division this season, that includes 21 occasions and including three assists. Mbeumo is definitely the joint-fifth highest scorer in 2024/25, 5 strikes behind Mohamed Salah and solely two off Newcastle United hitman Alexander Isak.
Final season, The Athletic’s Jay Harris remarked that Mbeumo “cannot be stopped,” with Mbeumo starring in west London. Properly, it is clear that he is raised his degree because the summer time, now among the many Premier League’s foremost strikers.
Principally taking part in off the fitting flank, Mbeumo has acquired ample expertise in a extra typical centre-forward position, endowed with the crisp ending to align with a dynamic ability set and guarantee his success.
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Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford Stats by Place (PL) |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Place |
Apps |
Objectives |
Assists |
|
Proper winger |
62 |
22 |
17 |
|
Centre-forward |
28 |
10 |
3 |
|
Attacking midfield |
29 |
2 |
1 |
|
Stats by way of Transfermarkt |
|||
Slot’s Liverpool are a fluent and interchangeable facet, with the likes of Luis Diaz that includes often because the central focus. Mbeumo would stake his declare to having superior physicality to Liverpool’s contingent, with Nunez and Diaz tenacious characters however maybe missing in energy.
Mbeumo has averaged 1.3 tackles and 4.6 profitable duels per Premier League match this time period, as per Sofascore, so he clearly has an apt anatomical construct for the responsibility.
At 5 foot 8, he is diminutive and woulnd’t carry the sort of aerial menace that, say, Erling Haaland carries over at Manchester Metropolis, however Liverpool may gain advantage from the strengths that Mbeumo does possess all the identical.
Liverpool would possibly simply have the instruments to recover from the road this season, clinching an unimaginable Premier League title in Slot’s first season on the helm. Nunez has proved that he is usually a driving power in determined moments, however is he mature sufficient, Slot-like sufficient, to steer the road over the approaching years.
Mbeumo has confirmed by means of a number of years of arduous toil that he’s able to being a constant outlet in entrance of purpose, and Liverpool should pull no punches in getting his prized signature added to the Anfield ranks.
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Move over Nunez: 8/10 Liverpool star was the real star of the show
The Liverpool defender put in a unbelievable efficiency towards Brentford on Saturday.
