Darwin Nunez importance underlined in Mo Salah link-up stats

Mohamed Salah's partnership with Darwin Nunez continues to bear fruits. The connection between the pair is really starting to thrive - and the statistics back this up.

Although the Uruguayan missed a series of chances during the 4-2 win over Newcastle on New Year's Day, he did lay on an assist for Salah to  finally break the stalemate early in the first half.

Their continued link-up play, especially in swift counter-attacks, has been particularly effective so far this season as Nunez has played as the regular leader of the front line.

In fact, Salah and Nunez have linked up to create 35 big chances for each other (22 from Salah to Nunez, and 13 in the other direction) since the latter's move from Benfica in June 2022.

Incredibly, this is the same number as Roberto Firmino and Salah managed in their last five seasons together.

Since the start of the 2018/19 season, only the Sadio Mane-Salah pairing has produced more clear-cut chances (46).

Important role

Although Nunez was substituted on Monday in the 64th minute without having etched his name onto the scoresheet having had eight shots on goal with an xG of 1.67, coach Jurgen Klopp underlined the importance of the former Benfica man to his side's chance creation.

"We were talking outside, it was 100% the right decision to bring Darwin today because he kept [Sven] Botman and [Fabian] Schar together, that gave us the space for everything else. It is completely different if Cody is there."

Although the 24-year-old showed his frustration at being hooked, the Liverpool boss added: "Nobody has to worry about Darwin. He is fine. Played a really good game. Decided the game with an unselfish pass to Mo."

With such a high number of chances being created, just imagine what can be achieved if Nunez improves his finishing.