Robbie Fowler has condemned Darwin Nunez for ‘criminally’ missing a glorious chance to win Liverpool’s end-to-end clash at Aston Villa.
Nunez was a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw and at 2-2 he produced a miss of the season contender.
Dominik Szoboszlai was one on one with goalkeeper Emi Martinez but unselfishly played the ball across the box to his onrushing Liverpool teammate.
Nunez had an almost open goal to aim for but sent his effort over the bar to leave head coach Arne Slot in disbelief on the touchline.
“It’s such a simple finish and you’re an elite level footballer. Do your job and just put that in the net,” an unimpressed Dean Ashton said on commentary for talkSPORT.
Liverpool would have likely won and secured a ten-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League had Nunez scored.
However, they failed to do so and legendary Reds striker Fowler, who scored 183 goals for the club, was critical of the Uruguayan.
Speaking to TNT Sports after, he said: “People worry about Darwin Nunez… he doesn’t think about the game enough.”
Fowler added: “Lucy [Ward] and Sam [Matterface] were talking about his confidence on the comms.
“If you’re struggling for confidence, you’ve got to go back to basics, you’ve got to get the ball, you’ve got to touch it and you’ve got to give it five yards.
“You don’t look and dally on the ball waiting for someone to make the run so you can play an unbelievable pass, play the simple things.
“You always need to go back to basics and do the simplicity of being a footballer, what got you into the position of being a professional footballer.”
Fowler later continued: “It’s a bad miss, it’s a really bad miss, probably up there with one of the worst we’ve seen this year.
“I’ll try and help him out a little bit by saying, ‘Szoboszlai maybe should’ve shot himself’.
“But, he’s played a great ball to him and he’s missed the target, criminally from seven, eight yards. That can’t be happening.”
Liverpool boss Slot appeared to hint during his post-match interview that Nunez, who has scored six goals this season, was feeling down.
“If you look at the chances we had in the second half to go in front…” Slot said.
“Yeah, you can understand there’s one person in the dressing room that feels quite down and you know who it is, I think.”
GettySlot’s Liverpool remain top of the table despite the dropped points[/caption]
Liverpool took the lead through Mohamed Salah, who eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo’s best ever Premier League goal contribution tally with the Egyptian now on a combination of 39 goals and assists this season.
Goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins had Villa leading at half time in what was an entertaining contest.
However, the points were shared after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s strike deflected into the back of the net just after the hour mark.
Liverpool remain top of the Premier League and are eight points clear of Arsenal, although the Gunners have played a game less.
Villa meanwhile are ninth in the Premier League and remain in the race to qualify for European football next season.
