Darwin Nunez’s private Jurgen Klopp chat, concerning evaluation and failure to launch

Liverpool splashed some serious cash on Darwin Nunez this summer after parting company with Sadio Mane, but so far the superstar has failed to launch in a Reds shirt

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Liverpool Rangers Mip-633c70da3d77437524fbf682 Oct 04 2022 19 50 03

If there was one man being discussed in great detail ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Rangers this Tuesday then it was £85million summer signing Darwin Nunez.

The striker has struggled to find his feet so far at Anfield despite a promising debut in which he netted in Liverpool’s 3-1 Community Shield victory over Manchester City before hitting the back of the net in his side’s opening day Premier League draw with Fulham.

Since then, Nunez has collected more red cards than goals while the other big summer striker signing, Erling Haaland, has gone from strength to strength at the Etihad, bagging an astonishing 14 in eight Premier League appearances for Man City.

Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique suggested the difference between how their seasons are panning out is playing on the mind of the Uruguayan international.

“It’s a difficult situation for Nunez and the price tag that Liverpool paid for him and the price tag that City paid for Haaland,” Enrique told Lord Ping. “Haaland is flying, he’s not. It’s definitely affecting him mentally. It’s not helping him get into form.

“The team performance doesn’t help and under Klopp, Liverpool always plays with a false nine and he’s a proper number nine.

“Liverpool needs to adapt to him as well. It’s a worrying thing but Liverpool want to fight for everything and the player you signed to replace [Sadio] Mane isn’t playing. [Roberto] Firmino and [Diogo] Jota should be playing ahead of him at the moment.”

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It was another frustrating night for Darwin Nunez (

Image:

Getty Images)

The visit of Rangers on Tuesday provided a great opportunity for Nunez; the competition is a break from the Premier League against a side in which the striker has previously tasted success.

Back in 2020, Benfica were trailing 3-1 at home against Rangers in the Europa League when a 21-year-old Nunez was brought on to turn the tie around – and he managed exactly that.

After setting up his teammate Rafa Silva to reduce the deficit Nunez then bagged a 91st-minute equaliser to ensure his side earned a point from the Group D fixture.

But Nunez once again failed to take his opportunity to stand out from the crowd this time round despite some great play off the ball helping to create space for the three other strikers in Liverpool’s starting XI.

In the first half, Nunez had four clear-cut opportunities to score and managed to hit the target on every occasion, but he simply couldn’t get the better of 40-year-old Allan McGregor in the Rangers goal.

Nunez was rather quieter after the break as Mohamed Salah doubled Liverpool’s advantage, following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first-half opener, only coming close to an assist when setting up Luis Diaz with a great opportunity to score.

Nunez was unable to get the better of Allan McGregor at Anfield (

Image:

REUTERS)

Eventually, Nunez’s number was called and he made way on 80 minutes alongside Thiago Alcantara with James Milner and Harvey Elliott coming on in their places.

Ahead of the match, Klopp explained that he’d spoken with Nunez in private in a bid to remove the pressure from his striker’s shoulders, in the hope it would help him find some form.

It hasn’t on this occasion, but with Liverpool showing improvements against Rangers following a disappointing draw with Brighton summing up their season to this point, you feel it’s only a matter of time before things fall into place.