It has been a tough few months for Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.
After generally doing well for most of the season, Nunez’s form really tailed off towards the end of the campaign.
With just one goal in his final 13 matches for the Reds, and none in his last 10, questions have arisen over whether Liverpool will look to sell Nunez.
For the time being, that looks unlikely to happen. Nunez appears set to stay at Anfield. Arne Slot will give him a chance.
On Wednesday night, the 24-year-old showed exactly why Liverpool are right stick with him. Happy back at home with Uruguay, Nunez blasted in a hat-trick against Mexico.
Darwin Nunez hits hat-trick for Uruguay
While his form for Liverpool has been patchy at best, Nunez has been excellent for his country in recent times.
After his three goals last night, the former Benfica man now has eight goals in his last five games for his nation. As this summer’s Copa America comes into view, Liverpool’s No.9 is flying.
Against Mexico, Nunez was on the scoresheet within just seven minutes, firing home a loose ball in the six-yard box.
He was at it again just before half-time, sliding home to finish off a squared ball. The treble was then completed just minutes into the second-half.
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Once more, it was a goal from within the six-yard box for Nunez. After another nice move from Uruguay, Darwin could not miss as Facundo Pellistri delivered a lovely slipped ball across the front of the goal.
It was a supreme poachers showing from the Liverpool striker, with all three goals coming from just a few yards out. Naturally, the Uruguayan media were impressed, with El Observador handing Nunez a nine out of ten rating.
Surprisingly, they don’t go overboard in their praise. They do claim that the hat-trick ‘suits Nunez very well’ while also hailing his ‘mobility.’
Other than his goals, El Observador praise Nunez for an attack started on the left-wing as well as a ‘good run’ that was blocked by the Mexican goalkeeper. A great day at the office for Darwin.
Darwin Nunez shows why he’s not done at Liverpool
We simply haven’t seen this version of Nunez yet for Liverpool. He has had his moments of brilliance, but his display for Uruguay was one of pure strikers instinct.
It might sound harsh to say, but had Nunez been presented with these opportunities for Liverpool, you could have seen him missing at least one.
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Nevertheless, Wednesday’s showing was a clear sign that the Reds absolutely have to stick with Darwin.
If he can feel more happy and settled under Slot, then he can be a huge weapon for Liverpool. There’s no one else in the squad – possibly even the whole of European football – like him.
Hopefully this can now kick-start Darwin into having a good Copa America before coming back to the AXA Training Centre happy and refreshed. He’s not done yet.