Darwin Nunez replicated Fernando Torres’ Manchester United howler in Liverpool’s Europa League win over Toulouse.
Darwin Nunez’s shame was spared by Ryan Gravenberch’s amazing sitter in Thursday’s Europa League match against Toulouse at Anfield. Nunez hilariously missed a golden opportunity to score his second goal of the game, shocking the home supporters and Jurgen Klopp.
With numerous strong performances, Klopp’s Liverpool retained their 100% Group E record against Ligue 1.
Diogo Jota went ahead on nine minutes but Toulouse attacker Thijs Dallinga equalized seven minutes later.
Liverpool found their groove with Wataru Endo, Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mohamed Salah scoring in a 5-1 win on Merseyside.
Nunez was a standout for the hosts, terrorizing Toulouse’s defense with his pushing and movement in the final third.
He appeared set for a brace on 65 minutes as Jota sent him through and he took on his final defender to bear down on goal.
Nunez struck the post after rounding Guillaume Restes, shocking the Anfield fans and sending him to his knees.
The Uruguayan was relieved when Gravenberch scored Liverpool’s fourth after one of his greatest performances since coming from Bayern Munich in the summer.
Nunez’s rebounded effort found the 21-year-old midfielder, who rounded Restes again in seconds and sent a low shot past Logan Costa on the line.
Nunez laughed when Klopp substituted 18-year-old defender Calum Scanlon for him following the celebrations.
Nunez scored 15 goals in 42 appearances in his first season after signing from Benfica in a club-record £85million move last summer. He was criticised for his erratic finishing.
After his summer move to Saudi Arabia, the 24-year-old took Roberto Firmino’s No. 9 shirt, showing the club’s faith in him. He called up 2011 Fernando Torres against Manchester United before leaving.
He has five goals and four assists in 12 games this season and won’t understand how he hasn’t scored six.
Liverpool dominates the Europa League. LASK Linz lost 3-1 to the Reds in the first week before wins against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Toulouse at home.
Klopp’s team would qualify for the knockout stages with two Group E matches left if they win the replay against Toulouse on November 9.