– Darwin Nunez appeared to play down talk of a rift with Jurgen Klopp after admitting his “shock” at the German leaving as Liverpool manager.
– Klopp departed Anfield last week after almost nine years in charge and will be replaced by Feyenoord boss Arne Slot.
– Nunez set tongues wagging when, having less than a fortnight earlier wiped almost all Liverpool-related images from his Instagram account, he was seen not applauding Klopp during the guard of honour after the German’s final game in charge at home to Wolves last weekend.
– The Uruguayan, though, was spotted later the same day dancing with Klopp at the leaving party for the manager and other coaching staff and players who are exiting this summer.
Nunez said, “We were all a little shocked by Klopp’s departure, no-one expected it,” said Nunez. “It is a shame that he is leaving. “I personally would like him to leave in a big way, winning things, and it didn’t happen that way. It’s also a shame for the players. I wish him the best in the world.”
– Liverpool slipped out of Premier League title contention in the closing weeks and lost in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and Europa League, they had earlier in the season won the League Cup against Chelsea in a final from which Nunez was absent through injury.
Klopp departed Anfield last week after almost nine years in charge and will be replaced by Feyenoord boss Arne Slot, who will officially begin his role as head coach on June 1.
“We were all a little shocked by Klopp’s departure, no-one expected it,” said Nunez. “It is a shame that he is leaving.
“I personally would like him to leave in a big way, winning things, and it didn’t happen that way. It’s also a shame for the players. I wish him the best in the world.”
