Liverpool manager Arne Slot moved quickly to console Darwin Nunez after the striker’s missed penalty in the Champions League defeat to Paris-Saint Germain. With the visitors winning 1-0 over the 90 minutes courtesy of Ousmane Dembele’s first-half goal, there was no further scoring in extra-time.
It meant a penalty shoot-out, with PSG leading 2-1 when Nunez stepped up. The Uruguayan striker struck his effort to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s left, only to see the Italian international get both hands to the ball to push it away. It was the first penalty the 25-year-old had taken for the club since missing against Chelsea in January last year.
Even before the next spot-kick was taken, Nunez appeared to have tears in his eyes after making his way back to the half-way line. Curtis Jones also saw his effort saved, before Desire Doue put the visitors into an unassailable 4-1 lead.
Nunez appeared devastated as the PSG players celebrated wildly with the away fans. However, he was immediately approached by Slot, who put his arm around the striker and appeared to offer words of encouragement.
Nunez has been introduced in the 73rd minute, replacing Diogo Jota. However, he struggled to get invovled in the contest, wasting one opportunity when he tried to square a ball across goal instead of shooting with his left foot.
His contribution was duly criticised by pundits, with Stephen Warnock saying on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Darwin Nunez didn’t have an affect on the game. You had that feeling as he walked up to the ball (for the penalty. A sense of anxiety from the Liverpool fans.”
The penalty miss is likely to cast further doubt on the forward’s future at Anfield. He’s struggled to hold down a regular starting place under Slot this season and has been called out by his manager for his attitude.
He wasn’t the only star in tears, though. Mohamed Salah was also emotional as he clapped home fans, a scene that will fuel theories that he was playing his last Champions League game for the club ahead of a potential move away this summer.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk