Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez hasn’t been considered for his playmaking ability before, but he put in one of his best ‘Firmino role’ performances against Brighton.

Cody Gakpo has been the most probable candidate to step into Roberto Firmino’s shoes in Liverpool’s challenging hunt for a replacement, but there was a stunning performance in Liverpool’s most recent 2-2 draw with Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Darwin Nez was the hero of Liverpool’s previous away trip to Newcastle thanks to two superbly placed goals, and he was only seconds away from giving the Reds another victory in a challenging away game. This time, it related to a different aspect of his play.

Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Núñez was talismanic for Jürgen Klopp on Sunday afternoon, with plenty of promise over how the Uruguayan is beginning to settle after a mixed first season on Merseyside.

Néz was cool-headed as he passed to Dominik Szoboszlai to assist him win the penalty just before halftime, and both of his contributions were crucial in giving the Reds the lead after falling behind 1-0.

But there was another moment in the second half that was even more impressive, as the 24-year-old was precise with his work, playing in Szoboszlai just seconds before his cut-back was clipped onto the bar by Ryan Gravenberch.

That ultimately proved to be the game’s turning point because Liverpool missed a chance to go up 3-1, which would have put the Reds great favorites to secure the victory. However, Klopp may learn from Nez’s performance.

He finished the previous season with four assists, and in the second week of October, he is currently one behind that total.

Nez has contributed to seven goals in 10 games across all competitions, showing clearly discernible improvement in his capacity to create opportunities for others.

Subtle changes in his tendencies in front of the goal were visible from pre-season, and he now looks to be taking his time more often — demonstrating a maturity that is reflected in his decision-making.

For a player associated with ‘chaos’, there is now more logic applied in his process, and that could make him difficult to drop when Gakpo returns.

Of course, there are still some areas of his game to improve, with his big chance missed in the Europa League against Union Saint-Gilloise an example of how he can still evolve with the more simple chances, but the strides he has made in his playmaking are much more important ones.

Some had even gone as far as to suggest that Núñez simply ‘didn’t suit’ Klopp’s system as a number nine that spearheads the line, but in only his second season, he has shown that he can be developed into a complete forward that can also contribute to assists.

He is doing some of the Firmino-type things, but with the potential for a much greater goals haul. The position under Klopp has simply evolved.

This latest showing will further ease concerns from some over whether Liverpool were right to pay $104m (£85m/€98m) to sign him, with Núñez showing clear signs of evolution towards his maximum potential that could put him on par with the best number nines in the world.

And with the Reds’ next clash against Everton after the international break, Núñez has certainly done enough to warrant keeping his place, continuing momentum on an ever-blossoming partnership with both Salah and Szoboszlai.