DARWIN’S EVOLUTION
Klopp: Nunez has speed, finishing skills and desire... that’s the whole package — his potential is frightening
JURGEN KLOPP believes Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has “frightening potential.”
The Uruguay star had a difficult first season at Anfield as the Reds finished outside the top four for the first time in eight years.
There were doubts about the club record £80million signing but he has blown them away this time around with some spectacular performances that have showcased an outrageous talent.
Yet Klopp (right) reckons that is only a fraction of what Nunez can deliver for the Merseyside club.
He said: “He’s in a very good moment but it’s still only the start for him.
“I’m a bit afraid of the highs he could reach because there is so much there, it’s crazy. Now we’ve found the real starting moment so let’s work from here.”
Asked what he meant by suggesting he was afraid, Klopp said he was referring to the South American’s frightening potential
Two stunning late goals at Newcastle earlier this season showed how devastating he can be and another superb strike at Bournemouth on Wednesday night put Liverpool into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Even Klopp admits he has no idea what Nunez (top) can go on achieve.
“The speed, the finishing skills, the desire he has... when he’s fit he is really fit so he really can go and go again,” he said. “And that’s all the package, you just don’t know where he will end up.
“So probably I mean that, yes, his potential is frightening, absolutely. He came here for really big money but players need time – maybe some people forget that.
“Now he has had a good start to the season and he has scored fantastic goals, different goals, all kinds of goals, so of course he’s in a different moment.”
Klopp believes the close bond between Liverpool’s South American fab four – Nunez, Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz – has helped the young frontman settle down to life at Anfield. And he revealed that he has taken a picture of the quartet sitting together as close friends, which he’s sent to the biggest newspaper on that continent, showing just how bonded the four players from four different nations (Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia) can be.
“They are really close with each other and that helps them all,” added Klopp, who will rotate his team (training, below) again for tomorrow’s visit to Luton.
“I asked them which is the biggest newspaper in South America because I took a picture (of the four) and I wanted to send it there. That’s how the world should look!”
The Reds head to Luton on a run of four straight wins in all competitions.