Liverpool's Darwin Nunez (R) has come under fire from Reds fans for not scoring often. Photo: Tim Keeton/EPA
Liverpool - Darwin Nunez was not on the scoresheet in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Monday but manager Jurgen Klopp said he was delighted with the Uruguayan's all-round play and is confident the goals will come.
Nunez missed several chances against Villa but his tireless running and chance creation saw him named Man of the Match, with his late cutback allowing teenager Stefan Bajcetic to score his first senior goal.
Klopp said he had been around long enough in football not too lose any sleep over Nunez's recent scoring record.
"There are so many other things that are much more important because we look back at strikers and you cannot imagine some of the chances strikers who I worked with missed," he said.
Jurgen Klopp loves Darwin Nunez ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0q7uShi3MB
— GOAL (@goal) December 26, 2022
"The work rate he put in, the spaces he creates, he's unstoppable in the moment. There is no defender who can really catch up speed-wise."
Nunez has scored just five league goals since being brought in as Sadio Mane's replacement in a transfer that cost Liverpool an initial fee of $79.92 million in the close season.
Jurgen Klopp: “Darwin Nunez played an incredible game. He will score goals, I have no doubt about that”. 🔴 #LFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 26, 2022
“He gives us so much more than that - he will score... everywhing will be fine. This game by Darwin was exceptional”. pic.twitter.com/Noqms4F8H9
Klopp said he is being patient with the 23-year-old, who also failed to score in three games at the World Cup.
"He will score goals, I have no doubt about that," said the German. "Everything will be fine."
Reuters