Darwin Núñez – Matchwinner
It was at some point in the second half that I decided there may not be a Liverpool worthy man of the match. By this time, Alisson Becker was the team’s clear best performer, yet I did not want our keeper to receive that same acclaim in the first two out of three Premier League games. Last season I seemed to endlessly have to give this award to our beautiful Brazilian, which cannot be the case for Liverpool Football Club.
Then, just like that, our 24-year-old Uruguayan striker entered the field, with a remit to cause damage and distress, as the manager threw some tornado like caution to the wind. I have been keen on seeing this young man start every game so far this year, as I believe he has the tools, the power, the unpredictable nature, and desire, which can take this next version of Klopp’s Liverpool to unchartered heights. The £64m (rising to £85m) fee has been widely questioned this season, as the first three games saw him starting on the reds substitutes bench. The language barrier, lack of off ball intelligence, and inadequate pressing numbers, have seen him miscast as some type of failure who cannot become a system player for the front line. There was even talk this past week that he may become a target for the profit and sustainability fighters, Chelsea. After this off the bench cameo, all that can be firmly put to bed, as a star was finally born.
13 mins
9 touches
2 shot attempts at goal
2 goals ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/fgffNRizjn— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) August 27, 2023
The above stats show the impact that the former Benfica hitman was able to have, as he entered the field on 77 minutes. With an urgency and pace that could not be contained, he was the tip of a devastating spear for 13 minutes, which delivered three points to his side. I mentioned earlier how our keeper was superb and the below points to what he was able to deliver.
7 saves from Ali today (including the save of the season) – the highest he’s ever recorded in a Premier League game.
Best in the world 👑 pic.twitter.com/5TSAjLvSCM
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) August 27, 2023
The man of the match award is deserving in every sense of the word, regardless of how long the player was on the pitch. The home side could not and did not know how to take the initiative and break down an organized rear guard, with 70 minutes played against just ten men. As the minutes ticked on by, our German manager was keen to unleash an aggressive counter attacking style, with his new number 9 at the end of what could be created. Two wonderful goals will surely be what cements himself into the next run of starting places, as the rock and roll substitute appearance must have sent his boss crazy with jubilation on the touch line. The reds have now taken seven points taken from the opening three games, with both St James Park and Stamford Bridge in the rear-view mirror, this is almost the perfect start to the season. Expectations and wants have been varied (throughout the fan base), yet to be sat fourth after this opening trio of games is very good news for all.
Today was secured due to a rallying performance and some vital moments, whereas all the points were taken away from the Geordies by a fiery Raging Bull, our very own, Darwin Núñez, your man of the match
https://twitter.com/MrTwoFooted/status/1695852890051481792?s=20
