Why Luis Diaz injury could be good news for Darwin Nunez and Liverpool

Updated: 10 Oct 2022 23:39 BST
4 min read

Darwin Nunez, Liverpool, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Liverpool’s rough start to the season went from bad to worse with the news that Luis Diaz will be out of action for two months, but the setback could end up being a blessing in disguise for Darwin Nunez.

Diaz was subbed off in the first half of Liverpool’s 3-2 loss to Arsenal and a scan revealed a knee injury that would rule the Colombian out of the upcoming World Cup.

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The 25-year-old has been a rare bright spark in an otherwise disappointing campaign so far for Liverpool, with his three goals making him the club’s second-highest scorer this season.

The injury also means a potential alteration to Jurgen Klopp’s new 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 formation, which has seen the Reds appear much more cohesive in attack, even if it has not masked their defensive frailties.

However, with Liverpool desperately lacking consistency and numbers going forward, Diaz’s absence could provide Nunez with the opportunity to have a run of games and truly find his feet in English football.

Nunez started his first Premier League game in more than a month against Arsenal and broke his six-game goalscoring drought to give Liverpool the hope that he may have found form right when they need him the most.

Jota’s versatility the key to get Nunez firing

Diaz was replaced by Roberto Firmino at the Emirates and the Brazilian filled in centrally along with Nunez, pushing Diogo Jota out wide to the left wing.

Despite initially arriving as a winger, Jota has established himself as more of a striker since signing for £45 million in 2020, however the Portuguese international may find himself out wide again as the closest replacement for Diaz.

The injury to Diaz combined with Liverpool’s lack of depth out wide could see more commitment to their new two-striker system, with the 4-3-3 previously trademarked by Klopp now likely to have run its course.

Firmino’s six goals makes him Liverpool’s top scorer this season and the pressing forward will likely be integrated as a complimentary figure up front to the physical presence of Nunez.

Darwin Nunez half-time stats vs Arsenal:

1 Goal
2 Shot on Target
86% Pass Accuracy
4 Aerial Duels
1 Ground Duel
1 Clearance#LFC #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/xcVRlsdZLw
— StatATM (@StatATM) October 9, 2022

While Jota can consider himself unfortunate to have been moved out to the wing after initially being set for a run up top, the shift would allow Liverpool to continue featuring in the system which appears to be getting the best out of Nunez.

Jota has failed to score in his last 19 games for Liverpool and a switch to his previously familiar role on the wing could get the former Wolves man firing again, or at least able to provide service from the flanks to Nunez and Firmino in the absence of Diaz.

With Mohamed Salah seemingly a shadow of his former self – the Egyptian had just one touch in Arsenal’s box, the joint-lowest since he signed in 2017 – the onus may be on Nunez to show why Liverpool spent £85m on him and to rescue their season.