Jurgen Klopp stated that Darwin Nunez has made “massive” progress in his second season at Liverpool after Nunez’s spectacular goal helped the Reds defeat West Ham 3-1 on Sunday.
Liverpool are two points behind Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after five wins and a draw in their first six games. Klopp’s men have shown a return to form after a sharp decline in performance levels last season.
Nunez’s two goals off the bench against Newcastle last month contributed significantly to the team’s point total, and his goal against the Hammers proved decisive.
Alexis Mac Allister’s dinked pass opened up the West Ham defence, and Nunez scored his fourth goal of the season with a first-time volley.
During his first season at Anfield, the 24-year-old struggled to live up to his £65 million (€75 million) price tag and was not Klopp’s preferred option up front.
“Massive steps in the last few weeks. He is a threat. You all saw the goal,” said Klopp.
“The defensive work he puts in now, that’s probably the main difference. He always wanted, but it was less coordinated. Now that looks much better and we found a way how we can do it around him.”
In four of their first seven games, Liverpool has come from behind to win.
This time, Mohamed Salah’s penalty put them ahead, but Jarrod Bowen’s diving header right before halftime brought them back.
At the hour mark, Nunez put his team back in front, and Diogo Jota sealed the win five minutes before the end.
And Klopp is happy with how his team is acting as they get used to a brand new midfield.
“These boys are good footballers and when they have a great day they are extremely good. But when it doesn’t start as well – that’s why I liked the development into the game,” he added.
“This time we didn’t concede first but we conceded anyway. It feels the same, to be honest, not great. But again the reaction was really top and that’s for us in the moment the most important thing because we have to become this kind of team where it is really difficult to deal with.”
Photo by EPA/PETER POWELL
