EPL

Klopp insists 'everybody should be optimistic' about Nunez despite difficult Liverpool start

By Sports Desk October 07, 2022

Everybody should be "optimistic" about the impact Darwin Nunez will make at Liverpool, according to Jurgen Klopp.

The Uruguayan striker has struggled in his first few months at Anfield following a big-money move from Benfica, having not scored since the opening day Premier League draw at Fulham.

Nunez made his first Champions League start for Liverpool in Tuesday's 2-0 home win against Rangers, but was unable to find the net after being denied several times by opposition goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Klopp is pleased that his forward is carving out opportunities though, and speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Arsenal, expressed his confidence that the goals will follow.

"It was down to his movement and the movement of the boys around [him]," he said, referring to Nunez's multiple chances against Rangers.

"One of the things he showed so far in all the games he played is that he brings himself quite frequently in good finishing positions, which is the most important thing for a striker. That's why everybody should be, could be, very optimistic about what is coming from him in the future."

Liverpool head to the Emirates Stadium this weekend to take on the Premier League leaders, who already have an 11-point advantage over the Reds, though having played a game more.

Following their 3-0 Europa League win against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, Arsenal have won nine of their opening 10 games in all competitions, just the third time they have done so in the club's history after 1903-04 and in 2007-08.

"All my respect, wow - really, really good job," Klopp said about Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta.

"When you need some time nobody wants to give you time. Maybe not all of us deserve time because you still have to be good and use the time, which Mikel obviously did. I have to say, lots of respect for it.

"They had a lot of talent already in the last few years, [Gabriel] Martinelli, I was very excited about him and he's become exactly the player I expected he would be.

"Martin Odegaard, I spoke to him when he was 15 from Norway when the whole world wanted him and he decided [to join] Real Madrid, but I remember as if it would have been yesterday - he sat at the table with his dad and we were all so excited [about his potential].

"He had a few difficult years, which is normal, and [now] he became the player everyone expected him to be. [Bukayo] Saka, I think from the first day since he's been playing it's incredible.

"The last line is really settled, they found a way how they want to defend. Last night they played a different line-up but still lots of quality, so they are a young team, very exciting team doing really well, and in the position they are, well deserved.

"But now we go there, we will try to cause them problems, I think that makes sense. I am looking forward to it."

One of Liverpool's main jobs on Sunday will be to stop the in-form Gabriel Jesus. The former Manchester City striker has scored five goals in eight Premier League games this season.

"I always liked him as a player. I know City wouldn't have sold him to every club. Exceptional player, you always saw that when he played for City. The Gabriel Jesus role at City, as a nine,a winger - was it last year when everyone said City has no number nine (laughs)?

"He's flying at the moment, full of confidence. That's what confidence does to top-class players, if you are not playing against them it is easy to enjoy what he is doing.

"But now [they are] our opponent for the weekend so we have to make sure that he will stop flying for a weekend."

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    The victory took Madrid second in the Group B standings ahead of Chelsea's trip to Celtic.

    Wolfsburg were also convincing victors in Group A, getting off the mark for this season's competition as Rebecka Blomqvist scored a hat-trick in their 5-0 thrashing of Galatasaray.

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  • Gakpo feels 'more dangerous' for Liverpool under Slot Gakpo feels 'more dangerous' for Liverpool under Slot

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    Across his 53 appearances for Liverpool last season, 27 came as a centre forward, with the remaining 26 coming on either flank or in the attacking midfield position. 

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    Liverpool have enjoyed a fine start to the season, sitting top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables heading into the November international break.

    Slot has earned 28 points from his first 11 top-flight games in charge (W9 D1 L1), the joint-most by a manager after as many games in the competition along with Guus Hiddink at Chelsea.

    The Reds also remain the only side with a 100% record in the Champions League and have edged closer to defending their EFL Cup crown this season. 

    And Gakpo, who played a part in the Reds' win over Chelsea in the final of that competition last year, is eager for that fighting spirit to help bring more success to the club.

    “I see those [as] separate,” he said. “When I’m on the pitch, [I’m] really there to win the game, to show my quality," Gakpo said.

    “I think one of my qualities is going inside and going for a goal or maybe going for an assist. As an attacking player, I think that’s also part of the job.

    “Outside of the pitch, I tend to be a different guy – it’s more about life and development, mental growth, health growth with family, with friends.

    "I just try to be myself and I’m very happy that people speak so nicely of me, so thank you everybody!

    “Obviously when you come on the pitch, it’s game on. You have to think a little bit different – maybe not that nice in some ways because you have to win.

    "But for me, it will never be personal. Out there, [I’m] just trying to do my best for the club and to win these games for the fans, for myself, for the team.

    "When the referee blows the last whistle then the switch flips again and then I’m back to normal again.”

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