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Jurgen Klopp rates Darwin Nunez’s performance in Liverpool debut

Darwin Nunez
© Liverpool FC
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The club’s €100 million signing had a forgettable debut as the Reds crashed to a 4-0 defeat.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has defended Darwin Nunez following the new signing’s first appearance for the club.

It was a debut to forget for Nunez on Tuesday as Liverpool lost 4-0 to Premier League rivals Manchester United in a pre-season friendly in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 23-year-old striker could not live up to expectations in a 30-minute cameo. Foot blisters hampered his preparations beforehand, and when he came on the pitch, he looked off the pace and missed a sitter from close range.

Klopp reckons Nunez was a threat

In a press conference later on, however, Klopp defended Nunez and claimed his new No.27 was a threat in the game.

“What you could see is the boys were already searching for him,” the Reds boss told reporters about Nunez.

“It was his third session [since arriving for pre-season training] and I think after the third sprint his lungs were nearly ready to explode.

“We nearly killed him with these balls but he offered the runs and the boys wanted to pass the ball, that is for sure one of his strengths. He was dangerous, all these kinds of things.

“So Darwin, we will see. I think his profile is a proper number nine, so that’s helpful with speed and aggression and using his body, all these kinds of things.”

Liverpool will next take on Crystal Palace for a friendly in Singapore this coming Friday.

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