Liverpool players’ reaction to Darwin Núñez’s match-winning brace against Brentford has been revealed, highlighting their support for the striker.
The Uruguayan forward, who has faced significant struggles under Arne Slot this season, had only scored twice in the Premier League before the visit to the Gtech Community Stadium. However, Núñez doubled his season’s tally in just two minutes after coming off the bench on Saturday, securing a crucial win for Liverpool.
In the 91st minute, he broke the deadlock with a brilliant finish from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross and sealed the victory moments later with another outstanding strike. His jubilant celebrations showcased how much the goals meant to him after his recent challenges in front of goal.
After the game, Núñez received overwhelming support from his teammates. James Pearce of The Athletic reported on X (formerly Twitter) that goalkeeper Alisson joyfully lifted Núñez off his feet, a testament to the team’s excitement for the striker. Videos circulating on social media also captured teammates embracing him warmly.
Captain Virgil van Dijk praised Núñez’s performance, stating, “As a striker, you’re judged on goals. Today he made his mark with two crucial goals. That’s what we need – everyone at their best, contributing to success. Today was his day.”
Núñez has faced heavy criticism for his lack of finishing this season, alongside rumors of interest from Saudi clubs, with reports suggesting Liverpool even rejected a bid for the former Almería forward.
Manager Arne Slot defended the 25-year-old in his pre-match press conference, emphasizing his value to the team. “Darwin is a striker we need to use in a specific way. We haven’t fully optimized his strengths yet this season,” Slot admitted. He highlighted Núñez’s qualities, such as his effectiveness on fast breaks, while acknowledging the challenges of positioning him effectively against deep defensive setups.
Slot also credited opposing teams for their defensive efforts against Liverpool’s No. 9 and expressed confidence in Núñez’s potential to improve, given the right adjustments.
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