Jurgen Klopp is absolutely delighted with the progress shown by Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez recently.
Speaking in his pre-Leeds United press conference via Liverpool FC on YouTube, Klopp assessed Nunez’s first few months at Anfield.
“It’s a massive step. The problem is not that the boys need extra-long to settle, but they have different situations for the specific players. Darwin came here after a short break in the summer, arriving in Asia, doesn’t speak a word [of English], and being young, and Liverpool is a big club, and it’s a big step for him, and he was expensive, all these things. We all expect them to deal with it immediately, but it’s not like this,” explained the Reds boss.
“Trying to get fit step by step with new training, different demands. He started pretty well against City, scored an important goal, then scored against Fulham, and then you have a red card. [He] Feels embarrassed for himself, how everybody would react, then from not being 100 per cent confident getting a knock like this is not cool. Then you have to start new.
“For all these things, his numbers are incredible. If you speak about xG, I’m pretty sure his are high too. He had a few chances that he missed, but he scored as well. He’s involved in a lot of things, the steps he’s making are really big. And automatically he’s settling in more and more.”
Klopp excited by Darwin’s evolution
Asked about where he sees Darwin’s potential reaching, Klopp insisted that it was up to the player himself. But for the moment, Jurgen couldn’t be happier with what he’s seeing from the 23-year-old.
“It’s so exciting but he has to stay fit, he has to be available all the time and he wasn’t against Nottingham [Forest]. So, we have to work on all different areas, but the potential is incredible,” he said.
“Speed, the attitude is really good, he’s a real worker. His first touch is incredible, he doesn’t bring it on the pitch all the time, but it’s all possible to develop and to learn. It’s really exciting. Where it could go, I have no idea.”
Quite the answer from Klopp, there. It isn’t often that the Liverpool manager goes into quite such depth with his answer on one player.
But Nunez’s story at Liverpool so far is a complex one. It’s worth looking back on what he’s had to deal with so far to appreciate where he now is.
No one is saying that the Uruguayan is the finished article, Klopp included. But the signs over the last month have been hugely positive.
If he can keep on the same trajectory, and keep his attitude the same, then he will get even better.
As Jurgen says, that’s a hugely exciting prospect for everyone of a Liverpool persuasion.
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