Darwin Nunez makes mockery of Michail Antonio as Liverpool ruin West Ham prediction
Michail Antonio was talking the talk before Liverpool’s latest clash with West Ham United.
But it was the game’s other number nine who, as is increasingly becoming the case, had the final say as Jurgen Klopp’s side maintained their strong start to the campaign here at Anfield.
Antonio had caused a mild stir during the week with a bold claim over how the Premier League season could pan out.
“You know what, I think we are going to finish higher than Liverpool this season,” he said of West Ham’s chances. “I'm putting it out there. We've got them this weekend and it's a six-pointer. We've got them!"
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Given how the Reds were made to scrap for every inch during a wind-affected encounter, Antonio’s comments were not without merit with the visitors, still riding the wave of their dramatic Europa Conference League triumph last season, physical, well-organised and flashes of flair, not least from Lucas Paqueta.
They were, though, eventually seen off by a Liverpool side who are beginning to demonstrate many of the qualities that have made them the only consistent challengers to Manchester City’s domestic dominance in the past six years.
And key here, as in Thursday’s triumph at LASK in their Europa League group opener, was the performance of Darwin Nunez.
The Uruguayan’s ability to hold up the ball provided a welcome outlet, and his link with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah was best underlined in the 16th minute when, reaching a pass from Diaz, he inadvertently flicked the ball into the path of Salah to win and convert the opener from the spot.
Nunez then spurned a glorious chance shortly after the break
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