Liverpool cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Ajax in the Champions League
Darwin Nunez was on target for the Reds after scoring an excellent header
Display was one of his best yet in a Liverpool shirt after his move from Benfica
Jurgen Klopp looked pleased with his forward across all areas of the pitch
After a slow start it appears Nunez is now growing in confidence at Anfield
The game had long been sewn up and the bulk of the goals had been scored when Darwin Nunez made one of his most compelling contributions.
In the 56th minute, with Liverpool defending on the edge of their own penalty area, Ajax were popping the ball around, trying to work an opening, when Nunez pounced out of the shadows with an impeccably-timed interception and began to motor away.
It was the kind of thing you have seen Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane do countless times down the years, the type of play that Ian Rush made his trademark 40 years ago and Luis Suarez thrived on: they expect their forwards to do the hard yards, as well as score at Anfield.
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Nunez has had a colossal weight on his shoulders since arriving on Merseyside, every kick, every pass and every move has been the subject of great scrutiny, so this little moment felt significant, as if the penny was really dropping about what is expected from him.
To give it further context, it was greeted with a shake of the fist in appreciation from Jurgen Klopp, a manager who has always taken as much pleasure from seeing his team win a ball back as he has from seeing goals fly in.
So for the Uruguayan, it felt like another important step forward. On a night that ended comfortably - but for long periods looked as if it may end in calamity - Nunez could feel satisfied with all he accomplished. His manager, who engulfed him in a bear hug at the end of the night, certainly was.
The striker scored Liverpool's second goal of the night with a well taken header on WednesdayThe penny is dropping for Nunez at Anfield and he is now growing in confidence for the Reds
'It was a really good game,' said Klopp, of a player who has been nursing a hamstring issue. 'It was in both directions, helping defending. Darwin did really well. He played with a big heart and I liked that - a lot. Hopefully we took him off early enough.' He was substituted after he got a goal - his fourth in his last five appearances, a towering header from an Andy Robertson corner - but even if he had not registered, there was enough for him to take great confidence into the weeks and months ahead.
You can tell the 23-year-old has more belief in himself than in those scratchy opening weeks, when he was combustible and impatient, as he was able to shrug off hitting the post from six yards on the cusp of half-time when, really, he should have converted Firmino's cross.
He left the field shortly, after deep in conversation with the Brazilian and Salah, but when Nunez returned after the interval, his decisive inputs helped change Klopp's mood and propelled his team into the last 16 with a game to spare.
The striker bounced back superbly after missing a sitter in the first half (right)Nunez hugs boss Jurgen Klopp who on the touchline looked delighted with his performance
'Darwin was really angry at himself, disappointed at himself for missing that chance,' said Robertson. 'I sit next to him in the changing room. I don't know if he understood a word of what I said but I said "I'll put a cross on your head and you'll score!" so maybe I need to say that more often!'
Ajax had only themselves to blame for not putting Liverpool to the sword but, in these circumstances, those travelling from Merseyside were hardly in the position to refuse gifts and how they made the most of their reprieve.
Such a scenario never seemed possible when Napoli blew them away early in September but Liverpool have worked to turn things around. They are still not at their best - will they really get there again this season? - but at least Klopp was smiling by the end. It's been a long time coming.
Nunez responded well after his miss by scoring a header on Wednesday - graphic by The 3-0 win on the night has put Liverpool through to the last-16 of the Champions League
Nobody should ever take for granted qualifying for the knockout stages,' Klopp said.
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