Klopp begs fans for more time for misfiring forward

Klopp begs fans for more time for misfiring forward

Ayoola Kelechi 09:05 - 14.05.2023

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has backed Darwin Nunez to score 20+ goals for the club once he fully settles

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has asked fans to be patient with club record signing Darwin Nunez, whom he backs to score 20+ goals in coming seasons. 

Nunez struggling at Liverpool after record move

Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica in an €80 million deal that could rise to €100 million, but has been uninspiring for the Reds, scoring only 15 goals in 42 appearances as Liverpool struggled to hit the heights in the 2022/23 season. 

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool for a club record fee and scored on his debut against Manchester City in the Community shield

Nunez has directly contributed to only one goal in the last 10 games in all competitions for Liverpool and has come under heavy criticism from fans and pundits who are starting to question the value for money that the Reds got from bringing the Uruguayan to Anfield. 

Yet, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that Nunez’ current struggles are down to the entire team being out of whack, rather than a reflection of the striker’s overall quality. 

Klopp says Liverpool to blame for Nunez’ poor form

The German manager stated that if the team had been in better shape, Nunez would have been able to show his true quality and also noted that when he finally gets a regular season, playing in a properly functioning team, he would be able to guarantee at least 20 goals per season. 

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s game against Leicester City, Klopp said, “Give him [Nunez] time to settle, it’s so difficult to come into a team that isn't clicking.”

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“Darwin would have scored 20+ goals had we been having a normal season. He needs time to adapt - he had that at Benfica, there was no language issue”.

In Nunez’ last season at Benfica, the 23-year-old was able to score 34 goals in 41 games, including six goals in 10 matches in the Champions League as Benfica reached the quarterfinals against Liverpool, where Nunez scored in both legs of the tie. 

The Reds will be hoping to get that type of productivity out of Nunez once again when the 2023/24 season starts with a more efficient Liverpool team. 

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