What Virgil van Dijk did after Darwin Nunez's 'miss of the season' vs Union SG speaks volumes

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk's reaction was spotted after Darwin Nunez produced a 'miss of the season' contender against Union SG.

Nunez has had a strong start to the campaign for the Reds prior to Thursday's 2-0 win over the Belgian side, scoring four goals and providing two assists in eight matches.

He was handed a start for the second Europa League fixture of the season at Anfield, after scoring in the 3-1 win over LASK on gameweek one.

But things didn't go entirely to plan for the Uruguayan, who only played the first half as manager Jurgen Klopp looked to preserve his options for Sunday's trip to 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."