Darwin Nunez has really had quite the turnaround at Liverpool this season.
Although the Uruguayan striker was actually better than a lot of people gave him credit for in his debut campaign last year, he’s undoubtedly gone up a level.
His slightly comical goal against Sheffield United was Darwin’s just desserts for another relentless display at Anfield. Pundit Dion Dublin called Liverpool’s No.9 a ‘nightmare’ to deal with and it’s not the first time Nunez has made the opposition look silly this season.
Though goals have sometimes been missing from his game, the 24-year-old is always involved in just about everything.
However, when Darwin charged down Ivo Grbic in the Blades goal and deflected it past him, he did also match a not insignificant milestone for the campaign and joined a pretty exclusive club in the process.
Darwin Nunez’s reaches Liverpool milestone
Nunez’s goal against Sheffield United was his 11th of the Premier League campaign and his 18th in all competitions. Not bad, and considering some of the chances he’s missed, he should have even mre.
The reason why his slight lack of ruthlessness in front of goal is less important though, is because Darwin has also been a creator this season.
On top of his 18 goals, the Uruguay international also has 12 assists. That’s joint with Mohamed Salah for the most at Liverpool this year.
Now, 18 plus 12 is 30, which means that Nunez has now hit a target that only three Reds players have before him throughout the whole of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure.
Of course one of those is Salah, who has actually surpassed 30 in every one of his seven seasons at Liverpool, including 34 this time.
The other two are the legendary figures of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Both Mane and Firmino only registered 30 or more goal contributions once, mind you. Mane did it in 2019/20 with 22 goals and 9 assists, while Firmino hit an amazing 27 goals and 16 assists two seasons before. Welcome to the club, Darwin.
Darwin joins exclusive Liverpool club
Now, we’re not saying that Nunez is sitting on a par with either Mane or Firmino in terms of Liverpool status. But this is an interesting fact.
Clearly, it would be a stretch for the former Benfica man to beat Bobby’s record of 43, but he’ll surpass Mane.
In terms of Liverpool’s present-day forwards, Nunez is also well clear. Salah aside, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota both have 18 goal contributions, while Luis Diaz has 16.
All this does is paint a picture of just how good Darwin has been this year. No wonder Klopp has called his path at the club ‘so special.’ This is just the beginning, too. Put some respect on his name.