Liverpool analysis - Darwin Nunez faces big challenge as dangerous partnership is reunited

Reports of Roberto Firmino’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.

There was a sense among some that the Brazilian’s race at Liverpool was close to being run after a previous campaign hampered by injury and the increased competition for the central striking role from Diogo Jota and later Sadio Mane.

That Jurgen Klopp has already explained Mane’s replacement, Darwin Nunez, has been bought as a number nine represents a fresh challenge for the player currently wearing the jersey who, during his time at Anfield, has forced a reappraisal of what the position entails.

Firmino, though, is quite clearly ready to take it on.

Lively against both Manchester United and Crystal Palace in the Far East, he was even better in Leipzig, demonstrating all of the attributes that have long made him a favourite under Klopp – pressing relentlessly, dropping in between the lines, and making space for his fellow forwards.

And there was an assist to set Liverpool on their way to comfortable victory, taking a short pass from Mohamed Salah and then rolling the ball back into the path of the Egyptian to slot home.

Leipzig identified the danger – Firmino was on the receiving end of some meaty challenges, including one in particular from Willi Orban – but the Bundesliga side found the forward difficult to contain.

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Nunez’s quadruple after replacing Firmino at half-time underlined the key difference between the duo. But with a possible new contract to play for – the Brazilian is in the last 12 months of his current deal – it’s clear Bobby has the bit between his brilliant white teeth.

He will command the headlines, but Darwin Nunez isn’t the only summer Liverpool signing already