Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has criticized Darwin Nunez for missing a golden opportunity in the Reds’ 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
Nunez, who came on as a second-half substitute, had the perfect chance to win the game when Dominik Szoboszlai played an unselfish pass across the box after going one-on-one with Emi Martinez. With an almost open goal, Nunez sent his effort over the bar, leaving Arne Slot in disbelief on the touchline.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Fowler did not hold back in his assessment:
“People worry about Darwin Nunez… he doesn’t think about the game enough.”
He then addressed Nunez’s confidence struggles, saying:
“If you’re struggling for confidence, you’ve got to go back to basics, you’ve got to get the ball, you’ve got to touch it, and you’ve got to give it five yards. You don’t look and dally on the ball waiting for someone to make the run so you can play an unbelievable pass, play the simple things.
“You always need to go back to basics and do the simplicity of being a footballer, what got you into the position of being a professional footballer.”
The former Liverpool No.9 also labeled the miss as one of the worst of the season:
“It’s a really bad miss, probably up there with one of the worst we’ve seen this year!”
Robbie Fowler reflects on Darwin Nunez’s missed opportunity against Aston Villa pic.twitter.com/0n7fO6pPSf
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“It’s a bad miss, it’s a really bad miss, probably up there with one of the worst we’ve seen this year. I’ll try and help him out a little bit by saying, ‘Szoboszlai maybe should’ve shot himself’. But, he’s played a great ball to him and he’s missed the target, criminally from seven, eight yards. That can’t be happening.”
Liverpool would have gone ten points clear at the top of the Premier League if Nunez had scored, making the miss even more costly.
After the game, Arne Slot hinted that the striker was feeling down, saying:
“Yeah, you can understand there’s one person in the dressing room that feels quite down and you know who it is, I think.”
With just six goals this season, Nunez is under growing pressure as Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz continue to be preferred in the central role. His future at Anfield remains uncertain, and with big games ahead, he must find a way to regain his confidence and finishing touch.
