Liverpool’s new number nine Darwin Nunez failed to find the net against Chelsea on Sunday, but Alexis Mac Allister recognised his team-mate’s efforts at Stamford Bridge
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Alexis Mac Allister accepted he was to blame as Darwin Nunez failed to capitalise on a late chance in Liverpool’s draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side took an early lead at Stamford Bridge through Luis Diaz and had a second ruled out after a tight offside call went against Mohamed Salah. Chelsea drew level through debutant Axel Disasi, though, and had a second of their own chalked off before the break.
Both teams had chances to snatch victory, with one of the best late opportunities falling the way of Nunez. The Uruguay striker has taken the number nine shirt this season after Roberto Firmino’s move to Al-Ahli, but was unable to take advantage.
Nunez’s most enticing chance came when Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez sent the ball straight to Mac Allister, who in turn failed to feed his fellow South American. The striker failed to bring the ball under his spell, though, and the opportunity went begging.
After the chance, Mac Allister immediately held his hand up to apologise. It appeared from the reaction that the former Brighton man felt his pass to Nunez was too high and too hard, and a better ball might have allowed his team-mate to find the net.
Nunez went closer with a much more difficult opportunity, firing a dipping effort just wide of Sanchez’s far post. In the end, though both teams had to be content with a point.
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Darwin Nunez had late chances to give Liverpool victory (
Image:
PA)
“In the end we got a point and that’s OK,” Liverpool boss Klopp said after the game. “I saw a lot of things I liked and, of course, some things I didn’t like particularly, but it’s a first game in a tough place. I tend to see it rather positive, to be honest.
“So far in my career the first matchdays were always difficult and an away game at Chelsea as a first matchday is not a top draw. So we have a point and we keep working.”
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As Liverpool failed to claim victory, their former frontman Firmino was enjoying a dream debut in Saudi Arabia. The 31-year-old scored a hat-trick for Al-Ahli as they beat Al-Hazem 3-1 in the Saudi Pro League, linking up with fellow new arrival Riyad Mahrez for the second.
Next up for Liverpool is a home meeting with Bournemouth. The Reds won the corresponding fixture 9-0 last season, but the Cherries have twice changed manager since then and now have Andoni Iraola in the dugout.
Bournemouth, like Liverpool, drew 1-1 in their opener. They fell behind at home to West Ham through a Jarrod Bowen goal, only for Dominic Solanke to rescue a point late on.
