Darwin Nunez repaid Arne Slot’s faith by opening his account for the new campaign in spectacular fashion.
Just a day after being told by the Liverpool boss he must ‘work hard’ to get back into the starting line-up, the 25-year-old dazzled in the 3-0 win against Bournemouth.
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With the Reds 2-0 up courtesy of Luis Diaz’s quickfire double, Nunez put the Merseyside outfit three to the good in the 37th minute thanks to a stunning strike.
Combining with Mohamed Salah down the right flank, the Uruguay international then cut inside the box, before unleashing a bending left-footed shot into the far corner.
The relief and emotion was there for all to see as Nunez run to the corner flag to celebrate, where he was mobbed by his jubilant teammates, on his first league start of the season.
And Slot was every Liverpool fan watching on, with the Dutchman turning around to his coaching staff with his hands on his head in disbelief.
Fans were loving his reaction, as one X user said: “Arne Slot’s reaction to Darwin Nunez goal is PRICELESS..”
Another quipped: “He can’t believe he hit the target.”
A third added: “What a goal! Arne Slot’s reaction after the goal says it all.”
Prior to Nunez’s start against the Cherries, the ex-Benfica striker had been limited to just 62 minutes of Premier League action spread across three games.
But his opening 45 minutes will show Slot that he is more than capable of leading the line for Liverpool.
His effort not only had the Liverpool fans on their feet, but also talkSPORT pundit Troy Deeney, who was watching on inside Anfield.
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Speaking on talkSPORT commentary at Anfield, the ex-Watford striker said: “I think that is excellent centre-forward play.
“He has all the attributes, he wins the ball down the line, he has no right to win that, he wins the flick-on into Salah.
“He then gets onto his own flick-on with Salah giving it to him back, he chops inside onto his weak foot.
“And then it’s just about composing yourself, feel it, and he’s just felt it with his left foot, post and in.
“And you can hear this place, he needed that, they needed that, what a goal, and that’s why he got a standing ovation from me.”
