Darwin Nunez snubbed by Troy Deeney's 'Team of the Week' for little known Everton star

Darwin Nunez didn’t miss his opportunity after being handed his first start since April for Liverpool – although it seems not everyone was all that impressed with him.

The Uruguay international has had to wait for his opportunity since Arne Slot’s arrival, but he finally returned to the starting XI for the first time since April against Bournemouth on Saturday. Not only that, but he marked the occasion in style.

After Luis Diaz had put the Reds in control at 2-0, Nunez put the cherry on top of a superb first-half showing with a stunning finish on his left foot. The 25-year-old was left visibly emotional by the moment as he celebrated in front of the Anfield crowd.

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His boss was left suitably impressed with his performance, with Slot telling the BBC: "We hope we are adding goals [to Nunez's game] because that is what you need from a striker but this work rate was really good.”

Former Watford striker Troy Deeney clearly didn’t rate Nunez’s display enough to give him a place in his Team of the Week for the BBC. Diaz was included alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, but there was no spot in the attack for Liverpool’s other star against Bournemouth.

Instead, Deeney selected Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye alongside Diaz in his front three. While Jackson can certainly lay claim to his spot after scoring twice in his side’s 3-0 win over West Ham, Ndiaye is a curious selection.

Like Nunez, he scored just the one goal at the weekend, only his effort was not in a winning cause as Everton drew 1-1 at Leicester for their first point of the season. Nunez also recorded three shots in total, with two of those on target, to Ndiaye’s two shots, with just the one on target.

Explaining his decision to select Ndiaye, Deeney said: “The last three weeks, when Everton have been really poor, he's been the shining light. He looks like he's the one with no fear. He works really hard off the ball and on it he adds a different dimension and quality that Everton didn't have. They need to keep him fit if they hope to stay up. If he keeps playing well they'll have a chance.”

Liverpool.com says: Nunez was superb on Saturday, and it’s hard to imagine how he could have done much more during his time on the pitch. His goal was a thing of beauty as well – that alone would have earned him a place in our team of the week.