Liverpool manager Arne Slot has consistently defended Darwin Núñez amid his goal-scoring challenges, emphasizing the striker’s overall impact on the team’s performance.

Darwin Núñez delivered one of the most glaring misses of the season after coming off the bench against Aston Villa, sending a shot well over the bar despite having an open goal in front of him.

With the match tied at 2-2, Liverpool seemed poised to take the lead in the second half when Dominik Szoboszlai played a pass across the box, bypassing Villa keeper Emi Martínez and setting up what looked like a simple finish for Núñez. However, under slight pressure from Axel Disasi, the Uruguayan fired his effort over the goal.

Reds manager Arne Slot was visibly shocked on the sidelines, holding his head in disbelief and questioning the fourth official—possibly hoping for an offside call that could provide some justification for the miss.

The thrilling contest ended in a 2-2 draw, marking the second consecutive Wednesday that Liverpool played out an exciting Premier League stalemate.