Breaking down Darwin Nunez’s outrageous stats for Benfica

This article breaks down the Uruguayan’s stats so we can see what he will bring to the Reds – and we know they have a very good record when it comes to Uruguayan strikers. 
Give this a read to learn why people are getting so excited about the 22-year-old.

 

Liga Portugal

You only need to take one look at Nunez’s stats from the Portuguese top flight to know he’s a clinical striker. 

In just 28 games he scored an impressive 26 goals, an average of 0.93 per game, numbers only rivalled by the likes of Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski. 

His goals made him the league’s top scorer, which at just 22 years old is quite the achievement. 

Compare this with Luis Diaz, who isn’t an out and out striker, he scored 14 goals in 18 league games for Porto in the same league as Nunez. 

If his success so far is anything to go by, Nunez may well turn into a great buy for Liverpool, despite the hefty price tag.  

But the question is, could Nunez replicate these numbers in the Premier League? 
Played: 28
Goals: 26
Assists: 4
Penalties scored: 4 
Minutes per goal: 78’
Goals per game: 0.93

Chances created per 90 minutes: 1.4
Passes per 90 mins (passing accuracy): 18.7 (67.1%)
Shots per 90 minutes (inside penalty area): 3.8 (2.8)

 

Champions League 

Nunez’s success wasn’t just limited to Liga Portugal either, carrying his good form into the Champions League – scoring six goals in 10 appearances in the competition.

He scored two goals in two legs against Liverpool in the Champions League quarter final and also netted a brace against Barcelona in the group stages, as well as a goal away at Bayern Munich.

This has given him invaluable experience in playing against big clubs which he obviously will have to do when playing for the Reds. Clearly, it’s not just a case of him scoring goals against the poorer Portuguese teams, Nunez scored goals consistently at the highest level in 2021-22. 
Played: 10
Goals: 6
Assists: 0 
Penalties Scored: 1 
Minutes per goal: 102’
Goals per game: 0.6

Chances created per 90 minutes: 0.7
Passes per 90 mins (passing accuracy): 15.8 (56.5%)
Shots per 90 minutes (inside penalty area): 2.5 (1.9)

However, despite his undeniably brilliant stats, could Liverpool have taken a risk given this has been his first real breakthrough season? 

He scored an average of 1.18 goals per 90 minutes, considerably more than his expected goals per 90 of 0.83. This means he scored 42% more goals than we expected him to last season. You could look at that as him proving his doubters wrong, or him just having one fantastic campaign, but we will have to wait and see.

In 2020-21, Nunez played the same amount of matches for Benfica (28) as last season and yet managed to score just six goals, which is no comparison to his recent 26. 
Let’s also not forget that just two years ago he was playing in the Spanish second division with Almeria, so playing in the Premier League next season will undoubtedly be a huge step up for him.

However, Liverpool have generally done outstanding work in the transfer market and arguably have the best recruitment record in the world at the moment – many questioned the signings of Jota and Diaz for example, so it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see Nunez continue his good form in red.