It was a return to winning ways for Liverpool on Sunday, with Jürgen Klopp winning his penultimate game at Anfield 4-2 against Spurs.
The Reds’ misfiring front line found some form, with Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo both on the scoresheet. Harvey Elliott capped a man-of-the-match performance with a superb goal from outside the box.
Unfortunately, one man who did not find cause to celebrate was Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan could not add a fifth goal of the evening and struggled to stay onside at times. After the game, Núñez deleted all LFC-related posts from his Instagram amid rumours of online abuse from some quarters.
The 24-year-old’s signature was rumoured to have been led by the outgoing manager, leading some fans wondering whether or not he will have a future under new man Arne Slot as reports of a move to Barcelona also circulate.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we spoke to experienced LFC journalist Neil Jones for his thoughts on Darwin.
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Neil said:
“You can read into that he does have a handle on what is being said about him or to him on social media.
“It would be a terrible shame if Liverpool fans have made him feel like he doesn’t want to have those pictures up that are getting comments underneath.
“The biggest shame would be that if it was coming from his own supporters. If he was to feel that way, my message to him would be: ‘Just listen to the fans when you’re in the stadium.’ The support he’s had in the stadium throughout his Liverpool time is what Liverpool support is.
“Of course, he’s come with a big price tag, he’s got a big reputation but he’s a youngish player who can get better and if he does continue on the upward path, he’ll have the full backing of Liverpool supporters, certainly in the stadium.
“I think Liverpool should persist with him. I’ve got friends and people who are sensible commentators on football who think that Liverpool should sell him. I don’t. I think keep him.
“He gets in that many positions, he gets that many chances, he impacts games. He’s got things to clear up – but try and clear them up. Don’t just don’t just say, ‘Oh no, he can’t, he can’t do it.’ He can. We’ve seen him do it. He’s done it Benfica.”
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Redmen Reacts
It has been a poor end to the season for Darwin, with his indifferent form coinciding with Liverpool dropping out of three competitions in a short space of time. Whilst his calmness in front of goal has long been questioned, it has been his ability to harass defences and affect the game that has been missing in recent weeks. Whilst criticism of Núñez’s performances is valid, no true Liverpool fan should ever subject a player to online abuse, no matter how poorly they are playing.
It will be interesting to see how the summer plays out with regard to the club’s attacking options. The rumours of a Mo Salah exit seem to have calmed, whilst links between Luis Díaz and PSG have emerged in recent months. The incoming transfer committee may feel less inclined to persist with Núñez given that they were not involved in his signature. Perhaps any of the club’s five main goalscorers could be up for sale if the deal was right.
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