Darwin Nunez might have cast envious glances at Wout Faes’ finish in Liverpool’s game against Leicester on Friday night.
Granted, both Faes goals were in the wrong net as far as the Foxes defender is concerned, providing Jurgen Klopp’s side a 2-1 victory which puts them within reach of the top four before 2023.
But while Faes scored with unwanted ease, Nunez’ wastage in front of goal continued as he missed a handful of chances to give Liverpool a much more comfortable margin of victory.
The 23-year-old’s most notable efforts came in the second half as he cut wide from close range, before striking high over the bar when in good position.
They followed big misses in the Carabao Cup loss to Manchester City on December 22 and in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
“Another night Nunez could have scored a hat-trick,” said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who was commentating on the game for Sky Sports.
“We said that against Man City. We said that against Aston Villa.
“It’s a handful, but to take the next step, to become a world-class striker, he has to score goals.”
The stats will make for frustrating reading for Nunez.
Among players in Europe’s top 10 leagues with 500 or more minutes played this season, Nunez ranks first in shots per 90 minutes (6.0), but 99th in goals per 90 minutes (0.57).
He has managed 52 attempts on goal in the Premier League this season but has scored just five goals, while missing more big chances in the league (14) than any other player.
But the struggle to score is not for lack of trying.
Nunez has hit the woodwork more times (five) than any other Premier League player so far this season, and it was his chipped effort that hit the post against Leicester that led Faes to regroup in his second own goal of the match.
Before this match, Klopp compared the striker’s struggles in front of goal on Robert Lewandowski’s debut at Borussia Dortmund – before the Polish forward went on to become one of the most prolific forwards in world football – and after Friday’s victory he was heaping praise on Nunez.
“It was a brilliant performance tonight,” Klopp told Sky Sports.
“People look at the stats and whatever, but the goal, which was an own goal in the end, was a big improvement from recent situations, he kicked the ball really well.
“Other moments were also very good. He knocked out three players in one fell swoop before moving on to Mohamed Salah. It was really special and I’m really happy about that.”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville is confident the goals will come soon for Nunez and that in a few years he will more than justify the £64m Liverpool paid Benfica to secure the Uruguayan in the summer last.
“It’s a handful,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “If he scores the goals, he’s world class.
“I have a feeling he could be that world-class striker in a year or two.
“I think he will get bigger and stronger in this league the more he plays and I think that will start to happen for him in front of goal.”
