Liverpool will feel like it was two points dropped against Aston Villa, as they were held to a 2-2 stalemate.
Despite conceding two sloppy goals, Arne Slot’s side still had numerous opportunities to kill the game off, with the Liverpool forward line failing to find their shooting boots.
Diogo Jota missed a guilt edged chance in the first half, meanwhile, Phil Thompson was left baffled at Mohamed Salah’s miss at 0-0.
The worst of the missed chances though would come in the shape of Darwin Nunez’s open goal miss – something which has led Liverpool fans to call for a new striker signing.
The Uruguayan’s clanger will no doubt take the headlines, but the striker also had another huge chance to win his side the game.
Frank Leboeuf claims Nunez may cost Liverpool in future
Just a couple of minutes after his open-goal embarrassment, Nunez would have another chance at glory after pouncing on a mistake in the 75th minute.
Racing in behind the Villa defence, Nunez would be met by the on-rushing Emi Martinez, who timed his sliding challenge perfectly, to nick the ball away from the Reds forward.
Seen as a great challenge by many, ESPN pundit Frank Leboeuf actually claims Nunez should have been more clever and knocked it around the Villa goalkeeper.
“After watching the game you can say it’s a good point but because of that chance that Nunez had, and he had another one by the way when he faced Martinez and I think he could put the ball on the right side and run on the left. I don’t know what he tried to do. When Ally (Alejandro Moreno) says when he starts thinking that’s not a good thing, this makes me laugh,” said Lebeouf.
The former Chelsea defender later added: “Liverpool has to be happy but the fact that Nunez didn’t score that goal which I think would have killed the game, maybe they will have to pay that at the end of the season.”
Jurgen Klinsmann says Nunez ‘won’t forget’ Aston Villa miss
Featuring alongside Leboeuf on the ESPN panel, was former Germany and Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann.
Having scored countless goals during his illustrious career, the EURO 1996 winner knows all too well about the highs and lows of being a top striker.
Speaking on the Nunez miss, Klinsmann said:
“Well, those things happen especially for a striker. Those moments come back to you every now and then. It’s a confidence issue, it’s a focus or a concentration issue whatever it could be, he could give us the best answer. But it is ultimately something that won’t forget for a couple of nights.”
Nunez has been linked with a Liverpool exit and performances like that will only further cement his future away from Anfield.
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