Klopp says Nunez’s skills are not lost in translation
JURGEN KLOPP has shrugged off the language barrier between him and Darwin Nunez by joking that Roberto Firmino didn’t understand him either – and it helped the Brazilian.
Nunez, 23, revealed he does not know what Klopp is saying and the Liverpool manager says the £85million Uruguay striker has very limited English.
Klopp says this is not an issue because Liverpool have several Spanish speakers and quipped that a lack of English helped Firmino, right, when he arrived at Anfield.
“His English?” he said. “Not at all, just ‘Good morning’, ‘Let’s go’. He’s a kid, but a confident person as well, but not a grown-up man already, we know that. He has a baby, but he has to grow as a man. That’s clear, but it’s all fine.
“The headline was he doesn’t understand a word I’m saying, I know that. That was the same with Bobby Firmino and other players.
“Maybe a big part of Bobby’s success was he didn’t understand a word I said because he did everything right without understanding.
“For Darwin, it’s slightly different. He gets all the necessary information. We have Spanish speakers on the coaching staff and the team. I understand why you ask that, but I would say it’s all fine.” Klopp feels Liverpool’s poor form has not helped Nunez, who scored 32 goals for Benfica last season, settle in.
He was pleased with the South American’s display in the Champions League win over Rangers on Tuesday and says he will score because of his movement. Klopp said: “What’s the worst situation when you come in as a striker? That your team aren’t playing exceptionally well because you depend on the things they bring to you.
“We need to perform consistently to our level and beyond and then you need a striker to finish off all the things we create.
“One of the things he’s shown in all the games he’s played is that he gets in good finishing positions, which is the most important thing for a striker. That’s why everybody should be optimistic about what’s coming from him in the future.”
Nunez’s struggles are in contrast to how well Gabriel Jesus has done at Arsenal since his £45m summer switch from Manchester City, with the Brazil striker scoring five goals.
“He’s flying in this moment,” said Klopp. “We need to make sure he stops flying for a weekend.”