Data expert shares ‘chaotic’ Darwin Nunez transfer verdict at Liverpool
Josh Williams has shared the data-driven approach behind the signing of Darwin Nunez at Liverpool and the “chaotic” problems that have since ensued.
The 25-year-old has split opinion among Liverpool fans since his club-record £85million signing from Benfica in 2022. Two years on from that, the jury is still out on whether he is the man to lead the Reds’ attack under Arne Slot.
Williams, author of The Data Game: The Story of Liverpool FC’s Analytics Revolution, has shared his expert knowledge on the data-driven approach behind the Uruguayan’s signing exclusively to Liverpool News and highlighted his mixed success at Anfield thus far.
“I think Nunez would have gone down, and would still go down as, a data-driven signing, just because his numbers are a bit crazy,” Williams said.
“He posts a lot of shots. Last season, no players in the whole of Europe’s top five leagues took more shots than him. That’s a data-driven player in terms of expected goals – they’re really, really high and he has a huge impact on the attack when he’s on the pitch.
“So Nunez, in that sense, is a data-driven signing. I think the problem when Liverpool signed Nunez – and Ian Graham has since flagged this and admitted this in his book – is that stylistically he was just different to Liverpool’s other forwards.
“He was the kind of player where, okay you might sign him based on his good data, but the data also suggests that he’s a bit more of a striker as opposed to a forward who’s multifunctional. So if you’re buying a striker, you have to accommodate that tactically. Can you do that?
“I think [Jurgen] Klopp’s obviously signed him, kind of like [with the] blinkers on almost. I do think in the two seasons that have followed, although he’s still posting good numbers, tactically he’s almost hurt Liverpool.
“He’s been a bit difficult to accommodate just because of his nature and how much control you need to have to accommodate a player who’s as chaotic as that.”
Arne Slot needs to find a solution to Darwin Nunez at Liverpool
Nunez is arguably the most frustrating figure for Liverpool supporters in the current side, with his inconsistent ability in front of goal costing the Reds several times last season.
The striker ended the 2023/24 campaign with an underwhelming return of 11 goals in 36 Premier League appearances, finding chances came easy. However, Nunez struggled to convert more often than not and racked up a 16.39 xG [Fotmob].
His 108 shots taken with 46 shots on target throughout the season ranked Nunez in the top 94.6 percentile of Premier League forwards.
All the data points to the fact that Nunez, on paper, is an elite-level Premier League striker but the issue lies in helping the forward realise his potential and convert the host of chances that fall his way each time he steps onto the pitch.
The 2-1 win against Newcastle United at St James’ Park last season, in which Nunez scored a brace from the bench to earn the Reds all three points, is the most telling example of how his chaotic energy can be harnessed to produce results.
Slot must now do what Klopp could not, and if Nunez can break the habit of missing massively consequential chances for the Reds, Liverpool will emerge as genuine title contenders this season. Admittedly, the odds are not in his favour.
In other Liverpool news, Paul Scholes moots a rift between Arne Slot and a Reds ace after what happened against Man United.
For more Liverpool women news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.