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It was noticeable almost as soon as Liverpool was forced into replacing Diogo Jota in the first half against Chelsea: when Darwin Nunez entered the fray, he did so with a clear desire to make an impression.

Arguably, the Uruguayan was a little too keen to snap into a tackle or two not long after he had picked up a booking.

Successfully avoiding a red card, though, this was an energetic and defensively diligent showing worthy of praise.

Too often during his Liverpool career so far, Nunez has looked like a bit of an island in the Reds' attack — generating plenty of chances for himself and others, if not always taking them, but often do so by working alone.

Here, though, he was dropping back to link things, spraying passes, and sprinting back to do the hard yards in his team's own half.

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Summing up the change in his approach so far this season, Nunez has actually made more tackles (nine) than Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice (seven) in the Premier League this season.

Darwin Núñez of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on October 20, 2024.

Against Chelsea, though, Nunez put in the kind of performance that he will be expected to replicate regularly now he has shown himself capable.

Even if the goals are not flowing, putting in the hard yards going the other way is a surefire way of ensuring he stays in Slot's good books

His tackling numbers don't tell the full story of the season, with Nunez undoubtedly hoping to play more often than he has been of late, but the South American's showing against Chelsea was certainly on the right track.


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