Jurgen Klopp admits Darwin Nunez MUST learn English as he continues to settle at Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp tells Darwin Nunez to learn English after a difficult first season at Liverpool, but insists the £85m striker is part of the club’s ‘long-term project’
- Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool last year for £85 million following a massive move from Benfica
- The Uruguayan has shown signs of his talent but has struggled for consistency
- Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has ensured the striker is a long-term success
Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Darwin Nunez is still struggling to learn English, but insisted he is fully confident in his talents after a difficult debut season in England.
Nunez moved from Benfica to Liverpool for £85 million last summer after a fine two-goal season against the club in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Uruguayan striker has scored just nine Premier League goals despite his hefty price tag, with Nunez starting three of his last four games on the bench.
However, Klopp insisted the 23-year-old – who has occasionally shown signs of his undisputed talent – is still adapting to the club and country and supported him to become a key player in the future.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Reds’ game with Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday, Klopp said: “Darwin is a player with different skills than others, that’s good.”
Jürgen Klopp has told Darwin Nunez he needs to learn English after a tough first year at Liverpool
Nunez has only started 17 Premier League games and was often wasteful in front of goal
“He’s still adapting, his English still isn’t great when he exists at all, which doesn’t help, so we’re going through a difficult debut season for the whole team, which means for a striker: how can a striker shine when the team having a hard time?” But we are working on it (its English).
“This is a long-term project and he is dying to play. I understand that Darwin isn’t always okay when he doesn’t start, smiling in my face, but it’s absolutely fine.
“We have five, six players up front, I have to make decisions. The door is wide open for all boys. He was exceptional (vs. Leeds). Everyone who came in was on fire.’
Nunez has played at centre-forward and at times on the left wing during what Klopp also called a ‘strange, very average season’. future on the front line.
He added: “He’s a striker, but we need a specific set-up to play and defend from the center, but we have to understand it as a team. [to defend from the centre].
“We’ve had to adapt to different defenses (this season) and with a striker up front, that’s how it is.
But Klopp insisted the Uruguayan striker was a great talent and a big part of the club’s future
The Reds hope to be able to make a push for the Champions League after the 6-1 victory over Leeds on Monday
“It’s about fine-tuning and that’s what we do. There will be another one after this season and that is already in my head. Maybe we can learn some things to use now, that’s how I see it. He can play both.
“I’m totally fine (but) he needs to learn English. We can’t have four different languages in training, it’s football language so that will help him a lot (when he learns the language). ‘
The Reds entertain the struggling side of Steve Cooper as they try to close the gap to the top four after their thumping 6-1 victory away at Leeds on Monday.
They are currently nine points behind Newcastle in fourth place with eight games remaining, although they will face relegation-threatened teams Forest, Leicester, Southampton and West Ham during the run-up.