An indecisive figure in the Anfield echo chamber, Darwin Nunez’s finishing was constantly slammed during his three-year spell at Liverpool.
Artigas-born, Nunez arrived at Liverpool for big money in the summer of 2022 for a fee of £85 million after stealing the show time and time again in Portugal – but things didn’t exactly go swimmingly throughout his 143-outing spell.
The Uruguayan was able to set an almost unbelievable Premier League record during his time in England – and whether anyone will be able to match/surpass it remains to be seen. But, for now, it’s the 1999-born star who holds it.
Nunez Still Holds Crazy Premier League Record
The Uruguayan set it, in January 2024, against Chelsea
A proven sharpshooter at Benfica, as evidenced by his haul of 48 strikes in 85 outings for the Primeira Liga outfit, that didn’t transpire into his spell in England – and hitting the target from point-blank range is often his Achilles heel.
One of his worst days in front of goal came in January 2024 when he managed to hit the woodwork four times in a match against Chelsea.
What’s the craziest part about said record is that he managed to do so with a varied collection of efforts: a shot with his right foot, a shot with his left foot, a header and a chance from the penalty spot – that just makes his record even more unique.
First, the Uruguay international charged forward and unleashed a pack-a-punch strike with his right, and preferred, foot. It had beaten Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic – but it skimmed the crossbar.
Nunez then latched onto Ibrahima Konate’s pass and, without a second thought, struck the ball with his left foot. This time, Petrovic managed to get a palm to it, which saw the ball divert towards the rear post. He was denied again.
Nunez, who plundered 40 goals and 26 assists in his 143-game Reds career, was then given the perfect chance to get on the scoresheet after his side were given a penalty.
He stepped up from 12 yards out but, for the third time at Anfield, the woodwork was struck. Petrovic dived the wrong way, leaving half of the goal wide open, but his effort hit the outside of the right post – and thus, the ball bounced away from any potential danger.
To make matters worse, an unmarked Nunez arrived perfectly to meet Andy Robertson’s inch-perfect cross in the 75th minute, but it was the same result for a fourth time. The crossbar became his arch nemesis as his well-placed header was denied, much to the disbelief of the Anfield faithful.
Luckily for Nunez, who was signed under the watchful eye of former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool managed to secure a 4-1 win against the Blues that day – but that very scoreline could’ve looked more convincing if he had his shooting boots on!
Nunez is no longer plying his trade in England but he could well be in the Premier League record books forever.