Jurgen Klopp defends Darwin Nunez after difficult start at Anfield | OneFootball

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has defended Darwin Nunez after the striker’s slow start to the season.

Nunez made his breakthrough last season, scoring 34 goals in 41 outings for Benfica – including Champions League strikes against Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona. This form prompted the Reds to bring him in, signing for an initial £64 million.

The Uruguayan initially made a real impact. He scored off the bench on his debut against Manchester City in the Community Shield, and followed this up with a goal and an assist on the opening day of the Premier League season against Fulham.

Things have since gone pear-shaped for the forward, however. He was sent off on his home debut against Crystal Palace for a headbutt on Joachim Andersen, and has failed to find the net since.

Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino has been on top form, scoring five and assisting three in his last six outings. At the moment, Nunez will find it difficult to break back into the starting XI.

But manager Klopp isn’t worried about the form of the summer signing, insisting that he is “calm” about the situation.

As relayed by Sky Sports, the German said: “New players come in, and everyone talks about them and wants them to shine immediately. That happens from time to time, and sometimes not. We are completely calm.

“Of course, the three game suspension [for the red card vs Crystal Palace] didn’t help him to settle, but that’s pretty much all. The team is not flying – that makes it not easier for a striker, especially a finisher.”

Liverpool have not made the start to the campaign that they were hoping for. From nine matches in all competitions, they have won just three; to make matters even more concerning, they needed late winners in two of these victories.

This form has left them down in ninth place in the Premier League, 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal and ten off regular title contenders Manchester City. They face both of these sides in their next two league fixtures.