A record of five goals in 12 games would represent a solid start for any big-money striker. That’s the return currently enjoyed by Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, but it has been a difficult beginning to the Uruguyuan’s Anfield career.
Away from the club, Nunez will be best known for the rash sending-off in Liverpool’s 1-1 home draw with Crystal Palace. When you add in injury concerns and the club’s mixed opening to the campaign, those scoring returns are put into a slightly different context.
Stop Start
If the red card after the headbutt on Joachim Andersen wasn’t enough, Darwin’s reluctance to leave the pitch didn’t exactly strike the right chord. Jurgen Klopp just managed to contain his anger on the touchline, but this wasn’t a positive few minutes.
In fact, some neutral observers are highlighting this as a low point and one that underlines Liverpool’s season to an extent.
Injury then struck as Klopp’s men suffered their worst result of 2022/23 thus far. With Darwin Nunez absent, the Reds succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of bottom of the table Nottingham Forest.
For many football fans, the scheduling of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is a major convenience. Just as the season is getting into full swing, the tournament comes along and halts the momentum.
For Darwin Nunez, however, the break might just be a welcome one.
World Cup Ambitions
For four weeks, many of the world’s best players will be able to focus on their international obligations. For Darwin Nunez, this offers a chance to drive an Uruguay team that is looking to cause a big upset in Qatar.
Uruguay are two-time winners of the World Cup, but we have to go back to 1950 for their most recent success. In the modern era, the country’s best result came in 2010 when Coach Oscar Tabarez took his team to the third-place playoff.
At the same time, Nunez will be aiming for a personal award. The Golden Boot is a trophy issued to the leading goal scorer in the tournament, and it offers strikers a chance of individual glory.
Both Uruguay and their centre forward are outsiders, but neither should be written off.
Uruguay and Darwin Rated
Brazil are the favourites to win the World Cup while their closest challengers include France, England and Argentina. Uruguay, meanwhile, are listed as the 12th favourites out of the 32 teams that are taking part.
As for the individual Golden Boot betting, England skipper Harry Kane is the favourite to score the highest number of goals in the tournament and is followed by French duo Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
The figures in question are provided by world cup outright betting markets as sourced by SBO.net. They are in place ahead of the tournament and will switch to the live platforms as soon as the first ball is kicked.
As the competition develops, visitors to the website can assess those odds while considering other information to appear. There will be breaking news stories and blog posts, together with some useful betting guides.
Anyone wishing to test that knowledge is welcome to do so. Each operator on the SBO panel can accept new players and many publish a generous welcome package in return for signing up.
Funds will be needed and there are many deposit providers in position. Along with fast and efficient customer services, players can enjoy additional benefits. In-play markets, mobile betting, and the possibility of receiving other promotions should be available.
It’s a one-stop shop for World Cup betting, but can Darwin Nunez make a significant contribution in Qatar?
Will Liverpool Fans see the Best of Darwin Nunez?
It’s important to remember that Darwin Nunez is only 23. Darwin is still evolving and is very much a work in progress. The player made an instant impact at Anfield, scoring in the Community Shield win over Manchester City and he also found the net on his league debut for the club.
The deciding goal in the 1-0 win over West Ham United may be the most important strike to date. It’s been a promising opening, if not an entirely convincing one for the player, but the World Cup in Qatar may just offer Liverpool fans a reminder of Nunez’s star quality.