Steve Nicol gives brutal assessment of Darwin Nunez’s performance for Liverpool against Bologna

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Liverpool delivered a mixed performance but got the job done against Bologna in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Coming off the back of four wins in a row, the Reds were heavy favourites to make it five against the Italian side.

With Bologna starting the season in patchy form themselves, Liverpool knew they had a good chance to continue their perfect start in the Champions League this season.

In the end, that’s exactly what they did. But the game was not without its scares.

Arne Slot was not happy after the game and it is easy to understand why. At times, Liverpool were far too open against a Bologna side who rose to the occasion.

And according to former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol, there was one player in Slot’s XI who did not do his starting berth justice: Darwin Nunez.

Steve Nicol delivers ‘lost’ Darwin Nunez verdict

Nunez was unfortunate to miss out on Saturday’s win over Wolves having been struck down with illness through the week.

Having failed to make the matchday squad for that game, it felt as though he might have to sit out of the next one, too.

But after Diogo Jota picked up a knock during the weekend’s match, Nunez was afforded a chance to lead the line at Anfield.

Unfortunately, the Uruguayan did not really grasp his opportunity. After an ineffectual and at times disappointing display, Nunez was substituted for Jota just after the hour mark.

READ MORE: Liverpool fans display brand new Arne Slot banner at Anfield during Bologna win

Nicol is never one to hold back during his punditry work. And having watched Nunez fail to make an impact, the Liverpool legend told ESPN that he had ‘looked lost’ against Bologna.

“Nunez started. I’m afraid Mr Nunez looks a little lost to be quite honest,” said Nicol. “He got substituted, Jota came on. But in general all the front players need to do better with the final ball.

“Unfortunately right now he [Nunez] can’t get out his own way. Running offside, a couple of times when he tried to shoot he should have passed it.”

Darwin Nunez misses his chance

It must be pointed out that Nunez may have still been suffering a little with the illness which kept him out at the weekend.

The 25-year-old did not look quite his bustling, all-action self against Bologna and perhaps he was still a touch under the weather.

That would explain why Slot chose to get him off and get Jota on relatively early into the second-half.

Another explanation would of course be that the Liverpool head coach was not impressed by Nunez either and so decided to take him off.

Whatever the reason, it doesn’t look too good for Darwin now. This was his chance to lay down a marker in a big game. As he unfortunately has done all too often during his Liverpool career, though, Nunez missed his chance.