Uruguayan international Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica in exchange for high expectations and a hefty transfer fee.
In his first season in England, he failed to adapt to the speed and strength typical of the Premier League, played poorly as a centre-forward and was criticised for his decision-making in front of goal.
In his second year, he improved his performances up front, scoring 18 goals and assisting 13 in 54 games, but he missed a number of chances, including one-on-one misses with the keeper, and was particularly poor in front of goal in the second half of the season.
The new season, his third in England, is a crucial one for the player. He would like to establish himself at Liverpool, who will be looking to sign a new attacker this summer, but the former Benfica player said it would be difficult to play in the Premier League and also expressed his gratitude to Klopp.
“To be honest, playing in the Premier League isn’t easy at all, it’s difficult,”
“Players are stronger and there’s a higher level of intensity. [Klopp] helped me improve some of my skills on the pitch. He helped me a lot to have a better attitude. To be honest, it is thanks to him that I am doing well today.”
“I’ll try to give my best so that things turn out well for us and bring joy to every Uruguayan. Today I get to be the No.9 at Liverpool and follow in the footsteps of the greats who have played here. I’m doing the best I can to bring joy to the club and the fans.”
Premier League’s ‘World Beaters’
He has been steadily scoring goals for the Uruguayan national team under Marcelo Bielsa, and is on a great run of form, scoring one goal in every two games.
There are differences in Spanish instructions and coordination, but can he turn into a team-winning ace at Anfield…?