Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with Darwin Nunez’s peformance today.
Nunez got on the score-sheet for the first time in three months in the Premier League – smashing past Nick Pope to give Liverpool the lead at St James’ Park.
Other than the goal, the 23-year-old’s all-round play was excellent. He was a threat all game. And speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Benitez said Klopp will have been pleased with Darwin.
“He’s a hard worker, he can be better or worse in-front of goal but he’s always making runs, doing the right things. The first touch is not easy, he did it well and he scores the goal. The manager will be pleased,” said the Spanish coach.
Darwin finally adds a goal
Once again, Darwin showed why Liverpool were convinced to pay such big money to get him to Anfield last summer.
That hasn’t been a rarity to be honest, the Uruguayan has often shown up this season. The difference in his performance today was adding what has been missing a little of late – a goal.
And what a good goal it was too. With others waiting for the flag, Darwin took the ball down and leathered it past Pope.
Given his lack of goals recently, you could have forgiven Nunez for looking a little sheepish when presented with the chance.
Instead, the No.27 barely missed a beat. Bang! 1-0 Liverpool.
Going back to what Rafa is saying here, Klopp will be so pleased with this reaction from Darwin. His pace means he’ll always make things difficult for defenders. If he gets his finishing up to scratch, he’s near unstoppable.
The challenge for Nunez now is to keep this up. Unfortunately, it looks like he may now miss Tuesday’s massive game with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Liverpool fans will be praying that the shoulder injury which forced him off isn’t serious enough to rule him out. Without Nunez running riot up-front, the Reds’ chances of winning surely takes a hit.