Darwin Nunez, PSG and the Beginning Position Dilemma
Liverpool’s Champions League second leg in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain is quick approaching, and the talk over Darwin Nunez’s beginning position is heating up. After per week during which the Uruguayan made a tangible impression each in opposition to PSG and Southampton, the query stays—ought to Arne Slot hand him a begin in what could possibly be a defining European night time at Anfield?
This subject was mentioned intimately on Anfield Index’s Media Issues podcast, the place host Dave Davis was joined by David Lynch to analyse Liverpool’s newest performances and the important thing selections dealing with Slot.
Nunez’s Impression in Paris
Few gamers have had a extra eventful week than Darwin Nunez. He got here off the bench within the first leg in opposition to PSG and adjusted the complexion of the sport. Lynch was clear in his evaluation of the ahead’s affect, stating, “Of all of the subs at PSG, he is absolutely the key one which modifications issues.”
Liverpool had been on the ropes in Paris, dominated in possession and outshot comprehensively. However Nunez offered what Jurgen Klopp used to name chaos issue, stretching PSG’s defensive traces together with his tempo and unpredictability. Lynch identified that his “physicality and tempo” make him uniquely suited to a high-intensity contest in opposition to PSG’s man-to-man system.
Slot rewarded him with a beginning position in opposition to Southampton on the weekend, and whereas the primary half was irritating for Liverpool, Nunez’s persistence paid off. As Lynch put it, “He’s in a bit of vein of confidence now… he makes that impression in opposition to PSG, fully modifications the sport, then will get his begin, will get a objective, wins a penalty.”
A Tactical Determination for Slot
With the second leg at Anfield looming, the largest tactical resolution for Slot is whether or not Nunez ought to lead the road. The choice can be to start out Diogo Jota, a confirmed finisher with an uncanny skill to be in the fitting place on the proper time.
Lynch recognised the issue of the choice, explaining: “For those who suppose you’re going to have extra of the ball, then Jota’s the higher finisher. However in case you suppose PSG are going to press you and also you want an out ball, then it needs to be Darwin Nunez.”
In opposition to a PSG facet prone to take dangers, Nunez’s skill to interrupt past the final line could possibly be invaluable. His tendency to create havoc forces defenders into tough selections—one thing evident when he received a penalty on the weekend just by “panicking” Southampton’s backline.
Will Nunez Begin In opposition to PSG?
Lynch admitted it’s robust to foretell Slot’s name: “We don’t have as a lot form of proof on Slot as we did on Klopp, so it’s actually onerous to know what he’ll do.”
The important thing query is whether or not Slot desires to use PSG’s defensive vulnerabilities with Nunez’s uncooked tempo or go for the scientific ending of Jota. Both manner, Nunez has performed sufficient over the past week to make himself an integral a part of the dialog.
If Slot sticks with the identical formulation that modified the primary leg in Liverpool’s favour, count on to see Nunez enjoying a serious position once more. Whether or not that comes from the beginning or off the bench may outline Liverpool’s European destiny.