sport news Darwin Nunez is starting to prove his full worth at Liverpool after netting in ... trends now
The game had long been sewn up and the bulk of the goals had been scored when Darwin Nunez made one of his most compelling contributions.
In the 56th minute, with Liverpool defending on the edge of their own penalty area, Ajax were popping the ball around, trying to work an opening, when Nunez pounced out of the shadows with an impeccably-timed interception and began to motor away.
It was the kind of thing you have seen Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane do countless times down the years, the type of play that Ian Rush made his trademark 40 years ago and Luis Suarez thrived on: they expect their forwards to do the hard yards, as well as score at Anfield.
Darwin Nunez put in one of his best Liverpool performances yet in the win over Ajax
Nunez has had a colossal weight on his shoulders since arriving on Merseyside, every kick, every pass and every move has been the subject of great scrutiny, so this little moment felt significant, as if the penny was really dropping about what is expected from him.
To give it further context, it was greeted with a shake of the fist in appreciation from Jurgen Klopp, a manager who has always taken as much pleasure from seeing his team win a ball back as he has from seeing goals fly in.
So for the Uruguayan, it felt like another important step forward. On a night that ended comfortably - but for long periods looked as if it might end in calamity - Nunez could feel satisfied with all that he accomplished, while also knowing there is plenty more to come.
The striker scored Liverpool's second goal of the night with a well taken header on Wednesday
The penny is dropping for Nunez at Anfield and he is now growing in confidence for the Reds
He got a goal - his fourth in his last five appearances, a towering header from an Andy Robertson corner - but even if he had not
