Jurgen Klopp says Darwin Nunez is having a “very good time” at Liverpool and has fully adapted to life at the club following his big-money move from Benfica.
Nunez arrived at Anfield in a deal worth up to £85m after a 34-goal season. But soon to be 23 and tasked with learning a new league and language, the Uruguayan was not in the moment – he was sent off for a header on his Premier League home debut – finishing the campaign with nine league goals along with some minor boundaries. injuries and fitness complaints.
But 2023/24 has so far seen an improvement from Nunez. He already has eight straight goals in 11 games in all competitions compared to 19 in 42 last season.
“He’s just in a very good moment,” Klopp told a news conference on Wednesday.
“Darwin, yes, it was [time] necessary to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new team, all kinds of things. All this is long gone. He is in the middle of the team and everyone is really happy with him, I am very happy with him.”
Darwin Nunez is consistently getting into goal this season / Matt McNulty/GettyImages
Nunez is likely to start Thursday’s Europa League game against Toulouse, having started on the bench when Premier League football resumed at the weekend behind Luis Diaz.
“We had to make a decision before the game about which of the two would start. Lucho or Darwin? Darwin had some cramps at the end of the international,” explained Klopp.
“I spoke to both of them and they both agreed. Lucho’s job was to create, prepare and do what he could to cause as much trouble as possible. Darwin comes in and kills the game, that was the idea and it really worked well But you could tell it was intense for him even after 20 minutes.
“It was the right decision and it’s always difficult for the lads to have that kind of travel before games but he’s fine now and he’s ready for this game, next game I’d say.” That is good. I think he is. really happy at the moment as we are really happy with him.”
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