After starring in Liverpool’s win over Brentford on Saturday with two goals that came after 90 minutes of regular time, Uruguay international Darwin Nuñez has promised to keep fighting to prove doubters wrong.
Signed as one of the world’s best striker prospects in 2022 under the Jürgen Klopp era, the former Benfica man has not lived up to the billing. He has shone in flashes just as he did last Saturday at the GTech Community Stadium but has never been the leading man who he was brought in to be.
Talks about his exit have filled the media, especially with his poor returns in the 2024/25 season which has seen him lose his place in the squad to Netherlands international Cody Gakpo.
However, the goals which he scored away to Brentford were very important for the club and he has earned a lot of positive spotlight as a result. In the midst of the adulation, he has now promised the fans and his employers that he will not rest on his oars and will give all he has to justify the huge price tag for which he was bought and to show the potential he was believed to possess.
“I think you have to stay mentally strong, never give up,” said the number 9, whose goals off the bench allow Liverpool to stay on top of the Premier League table.
“There are moments that are very difficult for us players – for me, it’s right now, but I never throw the towel in. I always carry on working in training. If I need to stay to practise more, I stay, to improve.
“I think the work that I do on the pitch to help the team, to defend as well, I think I’ve always done it well. But I haven’t scored goals and I know people look at that: the striker has to score goals.
“The truth is that I’m going through a rough patch and like I said before, I always stay focused on my job and I’m always going to give everything for Liverpool. It’s really important to keep my head up and to always say, ‘OK, I’ve got to work because I need to improve.’
“And I stay strong with this mentality and with the support of my family and of course the fans, who are incredible.
“Now I have to keep on working. These two goals will definitely help to build my confidence. I’m very happy with the win for the team.”
