Is Nunez Klopps new Bobby Firmino…

[BOBPAISLEYFAN]

I appreciate there is an active Darwin Nunez thread, but I think that this question may have some validity, so bear with me…

Given how enthusiastically Klopp is defending Nunez’s performances this season and is clearly not overly concerned by his lack of goals and is also more than happy to quote his overall impact in every other department rather than just focus on his scoring stats…

Klopps stance with Nunez now, very much mirrors how Klopp regularly defended Firmino’s lack of goals….

So with that in mind I have referred to the following Stats listed on LFCHISTORY.NET.

Firmino 2015/16 Year 1.

Goals scored - League 10 - FA Cup 0 - League Cup 0 - Europe 1 - Other 0 TOTAL = 11

Goal assists - League 7 - FA Cup 0 - League Cup 0 - Europe 2 - Other 0. TOTAL = 9

Nunez 2022/23 Year 1.

Goals scored - League 9 - FA Cup 1 - League Cup 0 - Europe 4 - Other 1 TOTAL = 15

Goal assists - League 3 - FA Cup 0 - League Cup 1 - Europe 0 - Other 0. TOTAL = 4

Firmino 2016/17 Year 2.

Goals scored - League 11 - FA Cup 0 - League Cup 1 - Europe 0 - Other 0 TOTAL = 12

Goal assists - League 7 - FA Cup 0 - League Cup 1 - Europe 2 - Other 0. TOTAL = 8

Nunez 2023/24 Year 2. * ( 20 games )

Goals scored - League 5 - FA Cup 0 - League Cup 1 - Europe 2 - Other 0 TOTAL = 8

Goal assists - League 6 - FA Cup 0 - League Cup 1 - Europe 1 - Other 0. TOTAL = 8

Looking at the above stats its clear that they are very comparable and so maybe, suprise surprise Klopp has a point. Even more so when you consider Nunez second season stats are for only 20 games and not a full season.

Whilst we all know that Nunez has been brought in at great expense as an out and out striker, unfortunately his first season coincided with LFC having a significant drop off in form which would have clearly impacted his confidence.

However, whilst his second season performances hasn’t set the world alight, LFC are sitting pretty at the top of the league, progressing really well in Europe and are really well placed in both domestic Cups, so in the cold light of day, whats the problem.

Can Nunez play better, yes !!!! should he have scored more goals, yes !!!! but maybe on reflection Klopp once again, is absolutely spot on in his analysis..

The biggest positive is, Nunez can only get better and if he manages to do that, in effect we will have a player who can clearly create as many chances as Firmino but one who can also score a lot more goals than Firmino ever did…so on reflection, maybe an improved version of Bobby Firmino is not too bad after all.

Finally a few more stats to consider…

Firmino win ratio 59.67%

Nunez win ratio 61.43%

Firmino games/goals ratio 3.26

Nunez games/goals ratio 3.04

Firmino games/assists ratio 5.03

Nunez games/assists ratio 5.83

In conclusion, I think it’s fair to say, Klopp knows best… as always…!!!

[southernboy]

Spot on. I alluded to it in the other thread. We don’t typically play with a striker, but expect a contribution from the front 3. If Diaz/Nunez/Salah is as effective as Mané/Firmino/Salah I think we’ll all be satisfied.