Darwin Nunez Did Not Break Kyle Walker's Speed Record But He Is The Fastest EPL Player This Season

Darwin Nunez is the fastest player in the Premier League this season but not of all time. His top speed in Liverpool's win over West Ham was 36.5kph, not 38kph.

Soccer stats gurus Opta have stepped in after it was widely reported earlier this week that Darwin Nunez had set a new Premier League speed record.

The Liverpool striker was said to have reached a top speed of 38kph (23.61mph) during Wednesday's 1-0 win over West Ham United.

Had that figure been correct, Nunez would now be the fastest Premier League player since records began, beating Kyle Walker's top speed of 37.8kph (23.49mph) set in 2020.

But the figure that was first reported and quickly went viral was inaccurate.

36.5 - The fastest recorded top speed in the Premier League this season was 36.5 km/h by Darwin Núñez against Fulham.

36.5 - Darwin Núñez
35.9 - Gabriel Martinelli
35.8 - Diogo Dalot
35.7 - Allan Saint-Maximin
35.6 - Jack Stacey

Fact-check. pic.twitter.com/kcsQKQ1sB8

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 21, 2022

After a fact-check, Opta declared that Nunez had only reached a top speed of 36.5kph (22.68mph) at Anfield, meaning Walker is still the EPL's all-time record-holder.

Nunez IS the fastest Premier League player so far this season though.

His top speed against West Ham was narrowly quicker than those recorded by Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli (35.8kph), Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot (35.7kph), Newcastle playmaker Allan Saint-Maximin (35.6kph) and Bournemouth defender Jack Stacey (35.6kph) this season.

Darwin Nunez is the fastest player in the Premier League so far this season but not of all time :: IMAGO/Colorsport