Everything was exciting and new for Darwin Nunez when Liverpool last crossed swords with Fulham way back on the opening day of the season in August.
A goal and an assist – even if neither was quite as intended – built on the momentum of the summer signing’s game-changing introduction from the bench in the Community Shield against Manchester City the previous week.
Since then, of course, few players have epitomised the rollercoaster nature of the Reds’ campaign as Nunez, whose encouraging goal return can't quite disguise the adaptation issues he has experienced.
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Indeed, the Uruguayan hadn’t started any of Liverpool’s four-game winning run before being given the nod in this reverse fixture against Fulham, restricted to cameo outings that, it would be fair to say, haven’t showcased his best.
The arrival of Cody Gakpo has certainly increased the challenge facing Nunez, the Dutchman more quickly grasping what is required of a central striker in this Jurgen Klopp side and nudging Nunez on to the left flank.
But with Gakpo rested, the Uruguayan made his first start as the attacking spearhead since the 3-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers in January.
It was, as it so often has been the case since arriving at Anfield, a performance packed with endeavour but lacking both quality and a complete understanding with his team-mates – yet still with Nunez integral to the outcome that kept alive flickering hopes of Champions League qualification.
The manner in which he won Mohamed Salah’s decisive 39th-minute penalty perhaps encapsulates Nunez’s Liverpool career to date, cheaply giving up possession before instantly chasing down Issa Diop and sharply nicking the ball off the Fulham’s defender foot before being brought down.
Nunez was close to scoring himself in the second half when he needed a touch more composure when shooting hurriedly wide after being fed inside the area by Jordan Henderson.
The harder he tried, though, the more frustrated Nunez became, turning inside the area and forgetting the ball in one instance, and then moving in the opposite direction when Trent Alexander-Arnold sought to find him in a dangerous space. Nevertheless, the applause Nunez received on his late substitution indicated the Anfield crowd remains very much on his side.
This outing served to strengthen Nunez’s reputation as being an agent of chaos. The forward, though, will know he needs to be more than just a menace when his Liverpool stay enters a pivotal stage next season.
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