Nunez is going nowhere, insists Klopp
JURGEN KLOPP has shot down rumours of Darwin Nunez’s exit amid a bruising week for the striker that saw him delete all Liverpool-related posts from Instagram and cause speculation that he could be off to Barcelona. Nunez has suffered a barrage of abuse after a disappointing run of form reached a nadir last Sunday when he put in a sub-par cameo in the win over Tottenham. The social media episode prompted speculation that he was not happy on Merseyside. The Spanish press subsequently claimed the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, had offered Nunez to Barca. But Klopp said: ‘There is no speculation. Darwin was definitely not happy missing that chance. He was unlucky in so many situations where he is doing everything right but the ball doesn’t go in. ‘That’s really tough for a young man. He has big expectations of himself. ‘We try to help him with all we can but you have to go through it, everyone has to go through this. Because he is good. Eighteen goals. Not bad numbers!’
Mail Sport reported earlier this week that Nunez is still central to Liverpool’s plans under new boss Arne Slot. Meanwhile, Klopp faces missing his final game as Liverpool boss if he is shown a yellow card against Aston Villa on Monday. He has been booked twice this season and one more would land him a touchline ban.
⬤JULIAN WARD is poised to make a shock return to Liverpool as technical director of owners Fenway Sports Group, just 18 months after the former sporting director left Anfield. Ward is set to rejoin the club on June 1 alongside Pedro Marques, who is being poached from Benfica.