Owen’s Accurate Prediction on Darwin Nunez: Confirmed by Viral Origi Clip
Liverpool fans may now be more inclined to agree with Michael Owen’s earlier comments on Darwin Nunez’s finishing, after Nunez produced one of the best goals of the season in February. During the Reds’ 4-1 win against Brentford, Nunez dinked the ball over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area after a flick-on from Diogo Jota. It was a sublime finish that showcased Nunez’s skill, and he has continued to impress throughout the season, scoring a total of 18 goals in all competitions.
However, Owen’s initial response to Nunez’s finish was both complimentary and critical. He described it as “madness to even consider that finish” and suggested that learning to slot, dink, or go round the goalkeeper would be a more productive way to score. Owen believed that this approach would increase Nunez’s chances of scoring to four or five in 10, significantly improving his end return. His advice received mixed reactions from Liverpool supporters at the time, but recent events have suggested that Owen was correct.
During Liverpool’s clash with Atalanta, Nunez was sent through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but once again, he opted for the chip. Unfortunately, this time the ball sailed wide, wasting one of the best chances of the game. Liverpool went on to lose 3-0, missing all three of their big chances. Nunez was withdrawn for the second game in a row while his side were chasing a result. Despite Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota also failing to convert big chances, Nunez had the most shots on goal with four.
The missed opportunity by Nunez has since become a viral clip on social media, particularly in comparison to a similar chance taken by Divock Origi during the Merseyside derby in 2019. Origi, instead of attempting a chip, took the ball round the goalkeeper and slotted it in with ease. While Nunez has a better strike rate than Origi, scoring on average every 155.6 minutes compared to Origi’s 169.5, it is worth considering Owen’s viewpoint on Nunez’s finishing.
Owen argued that Nunez should focus on different techniques to increase his chances of scoring. The recent events seem to support Owen’s perspective, as Nunez’s decision to attempt the chip in crucial moments has resulted in missed opportunities for Liverpool. While Nunez has undoubtedly showcased his skill and goal-scoring ability throughout the season, it may be time for him to reconsider his approach in certain situations.
In conclusion, Owen’s accurate prediction on Darwin Nunez’s finishing seems to be validated by recent events. Nunez’s sublime goal earlier in the season was overshadowed by his decision to attempt the chip against Atalanta, which resulted in a missed opportunity. The viral clip comparing Nunez’s failure to Origi’s successful finish further emphasizes the importance of choosing the right technique in crucial moments. While Nunez has been a prolific scorer for Liverpool, it may be beneficial for him to take Owen’s advice into consideration and explore alternative ways of finding the back of the net.