Jurgen Klopp has hailed Darwin Nunes as “a pleasure to work with” following the Liverpool forward’s impressive performances this season.
Nunez scored for the third consecutive time in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth in midweek and is now averaging a goal or assist every 61.5 minutes in all competitions this season.
The Uruguayan has had a mixed first season in the Premier League but has shown signs of finding his feet in English football this season.
The 24-year-old’s goal against Bournemouth was a microcosm of his time at Liverpool so far. Núñez was greeted with irony by the home crowd when he initially miscued a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, beat his marker and slotted the ball into the net. The winner is in the top corner.
Klopp insisted he was not doubting Nunes despite some rushed moments in the final third. The German is delighted with the progress made since his £64million move from Benfica.
“It’s great to see him behaving like he did when he was younger now,” Klopp told Sky Sports.
“The guy behind the player is really fixed. As soon as you walk in, he starts with ‘Good morning!’” in English. “For him it’s completely different. It’s hard. These days you pay X, Y or Z for a player and everyone expects him to come and hit the ground running, which is not easy.
So I’m happy to see him all week.”He’s a player full of potential. No one doubted that, but he’s had a bit of a tough road.” But it’s here now and it’s a joy. It is a pleasure to work with him.
He likes training and hard work. “He’s a different striker to other strikers, but he gives you a lot of options.”
