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Darwin Núñez and Liverpool Fans: A Love-Hate Relationship

  • Tahmina Rahman
  • Jul 28
  • 3 min read
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Since arriving at Liverpool in 2022, Darwin Núñez has split opinion more than any other player in recent memory. At times, he looks like a striker who can lead the line for years. Other times, he leaves fans questioning whether he is suited to the top level.


The relationship between Núñez and the Liverpool fanbase has become one of admiration mixed with deep frustration — a love-hate dynamic defined by extremes.


Statistically, Núñez’s output is hard to ignore. Since joining the club, he has the second-most combined goals and assists (G/A) of any Liverpool player, behind only Mohamed Salah. He has also made a unique mark on Premier League history by scoring the most 90th-minute away winners in the competition’s history — proof of his knack for turning up in big moments late in games.

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But numbers alone do not explain why opinion remains so divided. Núñez’s ability to impact matches is often overshadowed by the moments where he falls short, especially in high-stakes situations.


In the Champions League quarter-final against PSG, he missed a crucial penalty that could have put Liverpool ahead. That miss still lingers in the minds of supporters, especially given how narrowly the club exited the competition.


In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Núñez missed an open goal against Aston Villa in a match that ended in a draw. It became a focal point for fan frustration — the kind of glaring miss that has happened one too many times to simply forgive and forget.

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Despite these lapses, Núñez has never lacked effort. Watching him play, he is constantly pressing, chasing down defenders, and running into the channels. He may not always be efficient, but he is always involved. Defenders regularly describe him as a nuisance — an unpredictable forward who never stops moving and who brings physicality and energy to Liverpool’s attack.


This tireless work ethic is one reason many supporters continue to back him. In matches where things are not going his way, he rarely hides. His effort level rarely dips, and there is a clear desire to prove himself, even after criticism.

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His deleted social media post earlier this year, in response to fan backlash and public comments from manager Arne Slot, read:


“If I fall, I get up. I’m never going to give up.”


That mindset resonates with many fans, even if his finishing does not always deliver.


Teammates and coaches have also defended Núñez, pointing to his impact beyond goals. Mohamed Salah has compared his off-the-ball contribution to that of Roberto Firmino, highlighting the different ways he creates space for others.


Slot, meanwhile, acknowledged that while online criticism is strong, “the fans in the stadium still show him love.”

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Ultimately, Darwin Núñez represents a type of player who is becoming increasingly rare at the elite level. His strengths and flaws are both highly visible. He is not polished. He is not a clinical finisher in the mould of Erling Haaland. But he works, he creates, and occasionally, he delivers game-changing moments when no one else can.


The question now is whether that is enough. With Liverpool in a period of transition under a new manager and fresh tactical ideas, Núñez’s future role remains uncertain. Many fans wish him success elsewhere, but many also desperately want it to work out for Núñez at Liverpool.

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