‘He played in-front of me’: Klopp says he watched striker very closely, amid rumours Liverpool could bid

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Jurgen Klopp has praised the performance of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez against Liverpool last week.

Klopp was speaking in his pre-match press conference via Liverpool FC on YouTube ahead of the second-leg meeting at Anfield tomorrow. The Liverpool boss said he had a front-row seat for Nunez’s impressive display.

“Really good you have to say, I knew him (Nunez) before of course, but he played pretty much in-front of me with his tough battles against Ibou Konate,” said Klopp.

“Physically strong, quick, was calm around his finish when he finished the goal off. Good, really good, if he stays healthy he has a big career ahead of him.”

Nunez comes into the game on the back of a hat-trick on Saturday. Having now passed the 30-goal mark for the season, Liverpool need to wary of his qualities tomorrow night.

Nunez on the move

Liverpool are one of many clubs said to be interested in signing Nunez this summer.

The Reds were linked with a move for the Uruguayan back in October (Daily Star). Since then, Sky Sports journalist Melissa Reddy has claimed that Nunez has been ‘looked at for a long time’ by Liverpool.

However, following reports yesterday, it looks as though The Reds have stiff competition. The Athletic reported that Manchester United, Chelsea and PSG are currently the ‘front-runners’ for the player.

Benfica are said to be looking for somewhere close to £60m for the prized asset. With the kind of displays that he gave against Liverpool last week, it isn’t hard to see any of the clubs mentioned paying that kind of fee this summer.

Dangers of the two goal lead

There’s no question that Liverpool are favourites to progress to the Champions League semi-final tomorrow. That was the case before the tie began and their 3-1 win in Lisbon has only strengthened that feeling.

But The Reds need to be careful tomorrow night. As shown when Inter Milan came to Anfield aiming to close a 2-0 deficit, a two goal lead can beget an uncertainty on the best approach.

Benfica showed that, aside from Nunez, they have plenty of players who can hurt Liverpool.

If given a hint of encouragement, they may sniff the opportunity to pull off a big upset. Liverpool need to shut down any chance of that happening and that starts from chaining the mercurial Nunez.

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