This season of all seasons appears to be the most competitive Premier League to date. The champions, Manchester City, are four points off the Reds and six points off title-chasing Arsenal, making for an entertaining Premier League campaign to come.
Liverpool are still well in this title race, taking advantage of Manchester City's four-game winless run, and see themselves just two points off top spot. The Merseyside Reds have been fantastic this season and a figurehead of their success has been none other than Darwin Nunez.
The Uruguayan has been nothing short of electric this season and is a player that divides opinion. No one can critique his work rate, as seen in his fantastic tackle and assist against Sheffield United in Liverpool's 2-0 win Wednesday evening. However, again, the 24-year-old was the centre of attention in the game as he came on and created a devastating counter-attacking option for Jurgen Klopp.
As a striker, inconsistency in front of goal is something that Darwin Nunez must eliminate from his game and must become more clinical if he is to reach the level of Erling Haaland. Despite that, you cannot argue that the man is chaos and as a defender, he is the last person you'd want to mark. The Uruguayan possesses a frightening pace and intelligent off-the-ball movement that creates space for the likes of Salah, Gakpo, Diaz, and Jota.
According to Opta, Liverpool's Darwin Nunez is the player who contributes in attack the most in the Premier League, with 6.05 offensive contributions per 90. The 24-year-old has six goals and six assists in all competitions this season and is becoming more of a well-rounded number nine consistently providing assists for his teammates.
Jurgen Klopp was particularly impressed with the Uruguayan after the 3-0 win over Brentford earlier in the season and acknowledged the striker's more well-rounded game.
"Outstanding! Outstanding! Everyone can see; look at him how he kept the ball for us, who would of thought that last year? That he could do that for us. [The] standout was Darwin because Brentford wanted long balls so he started the pressing. [His] work-rate was insane."
There is no wonder why is he becoming a fan favourite as he works his socks off for the team and is constantly looking to hurt the opposition. The Anfield crowd have taken to him excellently and are constantly looking to motivate him and the striker always gives back to the crowd.
Moreover, the 24-year-old is still subject to criticism as he still has that rawness to him and still misses a lot of chances. The striker has 14 big chances missed this season, three less than Erling Haaland who has missed 17 big chances. Darwin Nunez appears to be a magnet for chances and as a fan, you would be more worried if he wasn't getting the chances.
Jurgen Klopp has a great track record of coaching strikers such as Lewandowski and Aubameyang into clinical finishers. With Marcelo Bielsa in charge of Uruguay, he has all the necessary components to become one of the best strikers in the world.
However, we are nearly halfway through the Premier League season and the title race is heating up and there could be a three-horse race for the title. Arsenal now have experience in a title race and you cannot underestimate Manchester City who are the reigning champions.
Darwin Nunez will have to be more clinical if Liverpool are to win the Premier League title but he does have excellent company in Jota, Gakpo, Diaz, and Salah that can share the goals between them.
The Uruguayan has struck up a fantastic partnership with Mohammed Salah this season and the Merseyside Reds have a 60% win rate when Nunez and Salah are in the team.
With Mohammed Salah set to be absent for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, the onus will be on Nunez to step up and force himself into being the guaranteed starter his potential £85m transfer fee demands. Moreover, Nunez will have to be the catalyst of Liverpool's title charge without the goals and assists of Salah. The 24-year-old has huge boots to fill and could lead the Reds to a second Premier League title under Jurgen Klopp.
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