Darwin Nunez misses open goal from five yards out against Ajax

Darwin Nunez produced one of the misses of the season for Liverpool against Ajax on Wednesday night.

Nunez has struggled in front of goal after Liverpool splashed out £85 million to bring him in from Benfica in the summer.

The Uruguayan has blown hot and cold, sometimes showing promise but then being guilty of missing a number of clear-cut opportunities.

But his worst miss came at the Johan Cruyff Arena when he had a golden chance to put Liverpool 2-0 up.

The Reds took the lead through Mo Salah, who produced a fine finish after a glorious outside of the boot pass from jordan Henderson.

Yet Nunez could not maintain his composure from a much easier chance. Liverpool constructed a fine move and the ball was fed to Roberto Firmino from Andy Robertson.

Darwin, Darwin Nunez...😶#UCL pic.twitter.com/DzCQJvxnd4

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 26, 2022

The Brazilian was incredibly unselfish and decided to put the ball across goal for Nunez. With an open goal to aim at, Nunez's effort inexplicably struck the post from about five yards out and let Ajax off the hook.

Nunez hit the post from here.. we got lucky. pic.twitter.com/JmRHYS3D03

— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) October 26, 2022

Nunez won't want to watch that one back anytime soon. He also had another moment to forget in the first half after he flung himself to the floor holding his face following the slightest bit of contact from Calvin Bassey.

Bassey did catch the ex Almeria man but his reaction was incredibly delayed and theatrical, leading to plenty of stick on social media.

And nunez does the diving! pic.twitter.com/u67HTbYjEK

— V (@Verotocritou) October 26, 2022

But then the 23-year-old did make amends for his sitter by doubling Liverpool's lead early on in the second half with a excellent header from an Andy Robertson corner.

It means Nunez has now scored six times for Liverpool, who then notched again in quick succession with an emphatic right-footed effort from Harvey Elliott after a Salah assist.