8 League apps (+10 as sub), 0 goals
Being a perennial reserve at Real Madrid is nothing to be ashamed of,
especially when those blocking your route are Luis Figo and David
Beckham. Yet when a twenty-four year old has barely reached double
figures in as far as appearances are concerned, the chances are that he
is going to struggle to make the grade at a club the size of Liverpool.
Add to that the fact that not only was Antonio Nunez a make-weight in
the heart wrenching (for Liverpool fans) sale of Michael Owen to Real
Madrid, but he was also Rafael Benitez's fall back option after the
Spanish giants had refused to let go Juanfran who had been initially
targeted by Benitez.
Those were the circumstances surrounding Antonio
Nunez's arrival at Anfield, yet the man who had taken him there insisted
that he was a good player whom he had even tried to sign for Valencia.
Unfortunately for Nunez, there was to be no reprieve and when he injured
himself within minutes of starting his first training session, it was
as if destiny was sending a message to both player and management. When
he eventually regained fitness, Nunez slowly started being introduced in
the first team and the impression was of a player who wasn't used to
the big stage. There was certainly some talent there, but perhaps not
enough of it or otherwise not used on a consistent enough basis. Yet it
was difficult to be too harsh on Nunez. He tried hard enough and never
gave up even, nullifying one of the cliches about foreign players.
In
the League Cup final against Chelsea, he gave Liverpool hope by scoring
their second goal in a 3-2 defeat and, perhaps tellingly, often worried
defenders when thrown on by Benitez in European games. Still, it wasn't
enough and Benitez soon made it known that Nunez was available for sale.
Celta Vigo quickly came in for the likeable Spaniard who left with
wishes of better luck than that which he endured at Anfield. (Paul
Grech) |
CLUB CAREER:
1998–1999 San Federico
1999–2001 Las Rozas
2001–2003 Real Madrid B 64 (12)
2003–2004 Real Madrid 11 (1)
2004–2005 Liverpool 18 (0)
2005–2008 Celta 96 (7)
2008–2009 Murcia 35 (1)
2009–2012 Apollon Limassol 60 (7)
2012–2013 Huesca 55 (6)
2013–2014 Deportivo La Coruña 22 (0)
2014– Recreativo TO BE COMPLETED