Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk’s reaction was captured following Darwin Nunez’s “miss of the season” candidate against Union SG.
Nunez had an impressive start to the season for Liverpool before their 2-0 victory over the Belgian side on Thursday, contributing with four goals and two assists in eight matches.
He was given a starting role in the second Europa League match of the season at Anfield after scoring in the 3-1 win against LASK in the first gameweek.
However, things didn’t go entirely as planned for the Uruguayan, who was substituted at halftime as manager Jurgen Klopp aimed to keep his options fresh for Sunday’s match against Brighton.
Nunez failed to get on the scoresheet and also missed what looked like an easy chance to put the Reds 1-0 up in the first half.
TV cameras spotted the Liverpool bench’s reaction to the miss, with manager Jurgen Klopp turning away in anguish.
Van Dijk, meanwhile, looked in shock at what he had seen and turned towards a team-mate before patting him on his arm.
Virgil Van Dijk and Jurgen Klopp reaction to Darwin Nunez miss😭😭 pic.twitter.com/hHeN7A9IdP
— ~ (@travix240) October 5, 2023
It wasn’t a moment Nunez will remember fondly, but Liverpool did go on to win 2-0 through goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota.
Gravenberch’s goal was his first in a Liverpool shirt since completing his summer transfer from Bayern Munich on deadline day last month.
Speaking after the win, Klopp praised the Dutch midfielder’s performance before adding: “It’s very difficult to keep rhythm in games like this but it’s important.
“We should have scored earlier but got the second in stoppage time.
“We should use our chances better more often if we want to be successful in competitions, but I’m not angry or concerned. It’s just how it is. We know we have to do better.
“It was a mature, professional performance. We got the result we wanted but know we can do better.”