Liverpool target Matheus Nunes may have only played 27 minutes at Anfield, but it was enough time to leave an impression on a night where the Reds’ midfield was, again, in the spotlight.
It is expected that a deal for Nunes will be agreed ahead of the summer window, with a fee in the region of £44 million to get the move over the line.
There is growing clamour for an addition in January but the 24-year-old is not eligible for a winter move having already played for two clubs this season – Sporting CP and Wolves.
But Reds got a closer look at what he could soon offer after he was introduced in the 63rd minute at Anfield – namely, control.
In 27 minutes, Nunes made three successful tackles, completed three dribbles and won six of his seven ground duels, helping his side assert themselves as they pushed for the winner.
In stark comparison, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson combined for one tackle, two ground duels won and zero successful dribbles in 68 minutes together – and the stats were not hard to overlook.
Matheus Nunes in 33 minutes vs. Liverpool:
100% crosses completed
80% pass accuracy
18 touches
6/7 ground duels won
3/4 dribbles completed
3/3 tackles won
1 key passBrought control to the midfield. ?? pic.twitter.com/26BAblTz52
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 7, 2023
Mathues Nunes in 33 mins today.
1 key pass
3 tackles > Fab + Hendo together
3/4 successful dribbles > Fab+ Hendo together
6/7 ground duels won > Fab+ Hendo together— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) January 7, 2023
Matheus Nunes had better stats in 33 minutes than Henderson and Fabinho together.
But we still don’t need a midfielder ?
— ????? (@LFC_Lucas_) January 7, 2023
Matheus Nunes completed more take-ons than any other player on the pitch (3) and as many as the entire Liverpool team COMBINED.
He only played 27 minutes. ? pic.twitter.com/RGnQYv7plU
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 7, 2023
After watching Wolves slice through Liverpool’s midfield, like many others have this season, Nunes showed the qualities he offers in an impressive performance off the bench.
Strong in the challenge and ready to push forward, Liverpool fans were left impressed with what they saw but couldn’t quite help questioning why the club have waited to act:
Painful watching Matheus Nunes make mince meat of Liverpool’s midfield there knowing Liverpool actively chose not to sign him last summer because they only wanted “the right player”…before signing Arthur Melo on loan deadline day.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) January 7, 2023
https://twitter.com/PassLikeThiago/status/1611845734143238145
Matheus Nunes played like he knows what's happening/what could happen in the summer. Very impressive.
— David Comerford (@Dave_Comerford) January 7, 2023
Nunes was on for 33 mins. Best midfielder on show tonight. That's where we currently reside.
— Steve McVeigh (@Boxingscience20) January 7, 2023
Matheus Nunes showing Liverpool exactly what they're missing in midfield. Rolls Royce. Press-resistant, bundles of energy, confidence & guile on the ball. Has exposed Jurgen Klopp's rusty-looking engine room since entering the fray & taken Wolves to another level.
— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) January 7, 2023
Matheus Nunes’ technical security & defensive work are both excellent. Nice impact off the bench at Anfield. Lopetegui just needs to continue using him in a double pivot rather than as an advanced 8 (which Lage & Davis both did). It’s the role that perfectly suits his strengths.
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) January 7, 2023
Matheus Nunes ran the match after coming on, made our midfield look like a bunch of MLS soccer players quite a few times.
No clue why we didn’t just sign him for £35m in the summer when we desperately needed a midfielder…
— ?????? (@WilcoFtbl) January 7, 2023
https://twitter.com/SamMcGuire90/status/1611841055963357187
Another unconvincing evening. Matheus Nunes however was gliding at Anfield. If things continue ticking along nicely in the background, that could become a regular occurrence.
— Danny Gallagher (@Danny7Gallagher) January 7, 2023
After the match, Klopp lamented that his side “didn’t win enough challenges” and that Wolves “win a challenge and all of a sudden we are completely open.”
It’s the story of the season so far and with a replay later this month and a league fixture with Wolves to rearrange, we could be seeing a lot more of what we are missing in midfield and what Nunes has to offer.
