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Rating Nunez's 1st Year at LFC

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Fabio said:
One of the more galling things for me was that when we started to get a tune out of trent, it was when Nunez was dropped, or limited in appearances. I've no doubt that if trent continues how he finishes, and nunez gets more minutes wide left or as the 9.... He'll look a different beast
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But this is by necessity surely? If we have to have a back three of Robertson, VVD and Konate, then Robertson isn't contributing to the attack. Without him contributing, if you have a player like Nunez who operates inside left, you'll have a wide open flank when he wanders into the box. We had this same problem on the other side when Salah was out there.

Diaz, by statistics, by his play, by everything, is much more of a traditional winger. He could play in a 442 on the left. Nunez would be lost in that position.

I think they both have a lot of work to do if that is the system we play though, to be involved, it just seems odd to me that Diaz escapes the criticism of "we need more from him."

We can afford to have one forward be not particularly productive, especially if we start to get more goals from midfield or elsewhere, but while we have so many more options for how we look, I'm not as convinced with any single one of them as I used to be.
 
Farkmaster said:
But this is by necessity surely? If we have to have a back three of Robertson, VVD and Konate, then Robertson isn't contributing to the attack. Without him contributing, if you have a player like Nunez who operates inside left, you'll have a wide open flank when he wanders into the box. We had this same problem on the other side when Salah was out there.

Diaz, by statistics, by his play, by everything, is much more of a traditional winger. He could play in a 442 on the left. Nunez would be lost in that position.

I think they both have a lot of work to do if that is the system we play though, to be involved, it just seems odd to me that Diaz escapes the criticism of "we need more from him."

We can afford to have one forward be not particularly productive, especially if we start to get more goals from midfield or elsewhere, but while we have so many more options for how we look, I'm not as convinced with any single one of them as I used to be.
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To counter that, we had curtis jones playing a much more advanced role than we were prior to the tactics change. The left mid for a majority of the season (coincidentally when nunez was starting more) was there to patrol and allow robbo to run on to meet up with Gakpo/Diaz/ Nunez; whereas since trent moved inwards and robbo hangs back, the LM becomes much more advanced (and crucially why i think Ali Mac will play there) whilst also providing appropriate press. In the current setup jones found himself drifting in to the box, while diaz aimlessly seemed to jink his way to nothing. I think if we have the LM operate in the space that jones has, It allows nunez to drift more inside on counters, or play on the shoulder of their RCB as usually gakpo is coming deep for a passing channel.

Diaz is 100% the more traditional winger, however the way we play isn't made for traditional wingers, so i would rather someone on the left who can cut in and isn't afraid to shoot (as diaz is prone to)

I do agree they both have a lot of work to do in order to make this system work, but i think nunez might have the edge as a goal threat in that position, as opposed to diaz who feels more creator style
 
6,5/10. Some impressive moments and a lot to like going forward with traits that Klopp can develop.
But also some issues that need to be ironed out. I'll be disapointed if he doesnt learn English pretty quickly now after it became evident that the language barrier is difficult.

He seems like a boss though, and has a personality that hopefully can help him succeed. This speaks volumes of the man and something he did just after the season was finished:


Nunez-uruguaycharity-main-600x400.jpg


On Sunday, that saw him take part in a charity match in his hometown of Artigas, to collect food and clothes for impoverished families in the area.
 
Obviously i want all players to succeed when they come here....but there's something about this guy that will break my heart if it doesn't work out
 
I’m with the negative nancys, poor touch and poor finishing in particular are just unacceptable at this price/level. For me he’s not a capable wide man either.

But he does have something about him and retains the feeling that he’s going to come good, it has definitely not turned sour yet. Next season is massively important for him.
 
To all the down beat pessimists, Darwin says:


Darwin-Nunez-LFC4.jpg


Well, nothing. Because he aint listening.
 
His chance creation was off the charts early in the season when Klopp reengineered the attack to suit him, unfortunately he couldn't convert most of these chances and then the bottom fell out of the midfield so we abruptly shifted from the whole team working to create chances for Nunez to asking Nunez to sacrifice his game for the team. His numbers immediately suffered and he lost the starting place.

So where are we now? To be at his best, he needs a bespoke role carved out for him, just like Salah. His finishing is better coming in from left, but he should not be a winger; in fact he should touch the ball as little as possible during build-up, much like Haaland at City. His movement and ability to get himself into goal-scoring positions are extraordinary. If we imagine a team with Nunez rather than Salah as a focal point, I can see a lopsided formation with him in a LWF/CF hybrid role playing on the shoulder of defenders while the rest of his attacking partners are far deeper and more involved in the build-up. Him and Salah together will be more difficult to make it work, unless Mo would be willing to adjust his game to become more of a creator.

------Nunez------------------------
Diaz------------Gakpo----Salah
--[K.Thuram]--MacAllister------
------------------------Trent--------
---[LCB]---Virgil-----Konate-----
 
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rurikbird said:
His chance creation was off the charts early in the season when Klopp reengineered the attack to suit him, unfortunately he couldn't convert most of these chances and then the bottom fell out of the midfield so we abruptly shifted from the whole team working to create chances for Nunez to asking Nunez to sacrifice his game for the team. His numbers immediately suffered and he lost the starting place.

So where are we now? To be at his best, he needs a bespoke role carved out for him, just like Salah. His finishing is better coming in from left, but he should not be a winger; in fact he should touch the ball as little as possible during build-up, much like Haaland at City. His movement and ability to get himself into goal-scoring positions are extraordinary. If we imagine a team with Nunez rather than Salah as a focal point, I can see a lopsided formation with him in a LWF/CF hybrid role playing on the shoulder of defenders while the rest of his attacking partners are far deeper and more involved in the build-up. Him and Salah together will be more difficult to make it work, unless Mo would be willing to adjust his game to become more of a creator.
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I’ve often considered that last bit, Mo provides some lovely assists and passes but in his head that’s not his game. Will Haalands unassailable position change Mo’s mind maybe?
 
I'm not understanding Klopp. I was kinda worried when we sold Coutinho becasue at the time he was one of the most creative players in the league. But somehow we got even better and more ferocious.

But Nunez has me baffled, no matter how you cut it I can't make up my mind as to whether we are going to get Lewandowski / Haaland or Heskey / Carroll.

Also I don't know why we didn't double down on the template that we had before - leike get a similar player for Mane/Firmino/Salah - 3 front players that will have synergy pace and skill. I thought maybe getting players in like Jeremey Doku, Crystal palaces Eze would have been a way of continuing the formula we had before.

I know City have changed their main striker in Haaland (tall target man), and it seems like we are trying to mimic them, maybe just maybe when the midfield get sorted I will see the master plan but for now - im a little worried about Klopp. Next season those forward guys have to make a better impression than we did this season or it will be used to say that Nunez experiment was a failure.
 
A lot of good things from him this season.

you really feel like he could go on a terror run

but then his touch and finishing is poor

He's earned a second season reappraisal, but he has to improve soon.

Having Klopp as a manager should help, no end. If he can't help you, no-one can
 
The sending off aside, I think his attitude has been good - he works hard and he's kept his nose clean as far as I can tell.
He gets into good positions but isn't clinical enough.
In some respects, he reminds me of Dirk Kuyt with a bit of a bad boy edge about him. I have this sneaking feeling that he isn't good enough but I like him and want him to succeed, and feel he deserves to.
I agree with all the middling reviews, that's kind of where he is for me and it could go either way next year, but I think Gakpo is ahead of him and that could stifle his development.
 
binomial said:
You'll see a free flowing attacking Liverpool side again with pace and power bullying and scaring defences, things fans actually pay good hard earned money to see.

We won all there was to win with Trent playing RB btw, like I said with midfielders who offer protection and can actually tackle and run.....we'll be fine. Fab/Hendo out.....AlexiMac/Thuram/Grav in.

Flip of a coin between Diaz and Jota on the left, Nunez was actually fit all season unlike those 2 and contributed as many goals as the 2 of them combined but carry on using the price tag and the fact he didn't score Haaland numbers against him and calling him donkey brain, well done.
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You’re in denial - it’s ok - we’re here for you.
 
StevieM said:
You’re in denial - it’s ok - we’re here for you.
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Except what have I got to be in denial about? I’ve stated facts after facts. Trent at RB wasn’t an issue before last season when we were winning/competing. That’s a fact. Nunez was reliable 95% of the season in terms of being available for selection, Jota and Diaz were at 50% that’s also a fact. Nunez contributed as many goals and more chances on his own than the pair of them. Again, another fact. Go back and watch the season review, I think you need a reminder what our boy can do.
 
Bit of a "sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit" season for him. Still, I like him. He's more van Nistelrooy than Bobby, and that's ok. He's always taking up great positions, and will be a pain in the arse (or chin) for defenders. He's not skilful and won't ever subtly pull the strings for our attack like Bobby or heir apparent Gakpo, but if Klopp still feels there's room for a blunt instrument who is single-minded about getting into the penalty box and on the end of crosses, I think he could shine.
 
I think he adds variety to our attack as he's direct and physically competes in a way we haven't really seen before under Klopp. Thats a good thing. But that's pretty much it.

We got absolutely rinsed on the fee, which will be £78m about 10 games into next season. We paid an elite price for a guy who isn't elite level. And for all the wishing and hoping he's not going to get there.

If we could sell him for £60m now we should as he's a back up player with no clear position and a low ceiling in terms of skill level. He's not versatile enough to adapt and he's not talented enough to rip up the system and rebuild around him.
 
binomial said:
Except what have I got to be in denial about? I’ve stated facts after facts. Trent at RB wasn’t an issue before last season when we were winning/competing. That’s a fact. Nunez was reliable 95% of the season in terms of being available for selection, Jota and Diaz were at 50% that’s also a fact. Nunez contributed as many goals and more chances on his own than the pair of them. Again, another fact. Go back and watch the season review, I think you need a reminder what our boy can do.
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Oh god - do we need to do this again.

“Trent at RB wasn’t an issue before last season” - really - That’s not a fact, or else we wouldn’t have had numerous threads about moving him into midfield or complaining about his lack of defensive capabilities.

It’s great that Nunez isn’t as injury prone as Jota or didn’t get an injury like Diaz - but that’s an expensive bench warmer - which is where he increasingly found himself the minute others got fit.

Here’s some facts for you then -
Jota - Started 12 games, came on as a sub 10 games, injured for 16, total playing time 1132 mins, scored 7 & 4 assists - so contributed to us scoring every 103 mins.

Diaz - Started 11 games, came on as a sub 7 games, injured for 21, total playing time 996 mins, scored 4 & 2 assists - so contributed to us scoring every 166 mins.

Nunez - Started 19 games, came on as a sub 11 games, injured for 6, suspended for 3, total playing time 1698 mins and scored 9 & 3 assists - so contributed to us scoring every 142 mins.

So there you have it - Darwin was less effective than Jota and only marginally more effective that the bloke who spent two thirds of the season injured. (Incidentally Diaz contribution pre-injury was significantly higher than post).

That’s why he found himself on the bench - as clear as the Mull of Kintyre on a sunny day from the coast road outta Larne.

Also - just to be clear - that means Nunez didn’t contribute “as many goals and more chances on his own than the pair of them” - doesn’t even work if you add in the CL stats either where Nunez scored 4.

If you really want to get into it, maybe you’d ask why, in the first half of the season, our forward press collapsed, why Salah’s output practically doubled January onwards and why Trent’s output significantly increased from January onwards - then maybe look at what might have been different pre Jan to post Jan.

There’ll be a few things - but the facts are - we got better the less we relied upon and played Nunez.

Again, in case it’s not registering with you - I’m not saying he’s useless or that we should dump him - not am I say he has to go Haaland cheat-mode.

The one thing that is really interesting about him - is he has a reputation for identifying and working hard to eradicate weaknesses in his game by seeking out people who can help.

I hope he comes back next month, fit, focused, having learnt sone basic English, understood who we play and figured out how to use his skills to beat more organised Premier League offside traps.

But this fucking nonsense that he’s amazing and we need to reorganise our team around him is just plain good old bollocks - because that isn’t going to happen and nor should it.

And he is fucking thick - so I will call him Donkey Brain, until I see signs that the one brain cell he appears to have, has found some friends.
 
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Don't have a clue why we bought him. Most of our forwards since Klopp came had been very secured and comfortable on the ball. They don't give it up without a fight which is crucial since we play such a high line.

Nunez is totally different. Defenders just need to stand off and wait for him to self destruct, either by miscontrolling or make a bad pass or dribbling to nowhere to lose the ball, then they are all over us with a counter. I am afraid Nunez is lacking a brain, and without that main CPU running, all his physical attributes don't mean a great deal.

5/10 this season, still a sub for next.
 
StevieM said:
Oh god - do we need to do this again.

“Trent at RB wasn’t an issue before last season” - really - That’s not a fact, or else we wouldn’t have had numerous threads about moving him into midfield or complaining about his lack of defensive capabilities.

It’s great that Nunez isn’t as injury prone as Jota or didn’t get an injury like Diaz - but that’s an expensive bench warmer - which is where he increasingly found himself the minute others got fit.

Here’s some facts for you then -
Jota - Started 12 games, came on as a sub 10 games, injured for 16, total playing time 1132 mins, scored 7 & 4 assists - so contributed to us scoring every 103 mins.

Diaz - Started 11 games, came on as a sub 7 games, injured for 21, total playing time 996 mins, scored 4 & 2 assists - so contributed to us scoring every 166 mins.

Nunez - Started 19 games, came on as a sub 11 games, injured for 6, suspended for 3, total playing time 1698 mins and scored 9 & 3 assists - so contributed to us scoring every 142 mins.

So there you have it - Darwin was less effective than Jota and only marginally more effective that the bloke who spent two thirds of the season injured. (Incidentally Diaz contribution pre-injury was significantly higher than post).

That’s why he found himself on the bench - as clear as the Mull of Kintyre on a sunny day from the coast road outta Larne.

Also - just to be clear - that means Nunez didn’t contribute “as many goals and more chances on his own than the pair of them” - doesn’t even work if you add in the CL stats either where Nunez scored 4.

If you really want to get into it, maybe you’d ask why, in the first half of the season, our forward press collapsed, why Salah’s output practically doubled January onwards and why Trent’s output significantly increased from January onwards - then maybe look at what might have been different pre Jan to post Jan.

There’ll be a few things - but the facts are - we got better the less we relied upon and played Nunez.

Again, in case it’s not registering with you - I’m not saying he’s useless or that we should dump him - not am I say he has to go Haaland cheat-mode.

The one thing that is really interesting about him - is he has a reputation for identifying and working hard to eradicate weaknesses in his game by seeking out people who can help.

I hope he comes back next month, fit, focused, having learnt sone basic English, understood who we play and figured out how to use his skills to beat more organised Premier League offside traps.

But this fucking nonsense that he’s amazing and we need to reorganise our team around him is just plain good old bollocks - because that isn’t going to happen and nor should it.

And he is fucking thick - so I will call him Donkey Brain, until I see signs that the one brain cell he appears to have, has found some friends.
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Good post. One thing I'd add is that I think strikers are often not so smart compared to midfielders and defenders – being self-reflective is almost a disadvantage when your job is to keep believing you're definitely going to put the ball in the next time even after you've failed the previous 9 times. Up to a point, of course – you still have to be smart enough to learn to beat the offside trap.
 
Unless both Nunez and Diaz sharpen up they'll both be out the door this time next year.
Mitigation for Diaz on his long period of injury and for Nunez if he goes to Oz for a brain.
 
Yes let's get rid of our most exciting players, Thiago will go Matip will go, replacements will come from the academy.

Summer after Klopp will leave, as will Mo. The era will be over.

And we'll bring in Moyes & Bowen and RIP LFC.
 
I guess I'd rate him as 5 out of 10 at best.

He cost a fortune, he hasn't scored enough goals, we didn't win anything or even finish top 4, he could barely get in the team by the end of the season. That's not a good first season.

That said, he has the attributes to get better next season. I hope he does.
 
Richey said:
I guess I'd rate him as 5 out of 10 at best.

He cost a fortune, he hasn't scored enough goals, we didn't win anything or even finish top 4, he could barely get in the team by the end of the season. That's not a good first season.

That said, he has the attributes to get better next season. I hope he does.
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But why bring team (or lack of) achievements into it?

If we'd won the league or FA cup and finished 4th then.....it is then a better season for Nunez?
 
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