Jurgen Klopp slams pre-season treatment of Liverpool striker Nunez

Jurgen Klopp has hit out at the treatment Liverpool’s new striker Darwin Nunez has had to deal with in pre-season.

The £85m has faced some criticism for his performances since joining the club, despite scoring four goals off the bench against RB Leipzig earlier this month.

Nunez was again named among the substitutes for Liverpool’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City, and was introduced with his side a goal up thanks to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected strike.

WELL IN, REDS 🙌🔴

2022 #CommunityShield winners 😁 pic.twitter.com/NKQkfSRZva

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 30, 2022

🗣 “Everything, I liked the whole game. We are that early [in the season], I like the problems we have in a game, especially when you win.”

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 30, 2022

Julian Alvarez equalised for City but Nunez then won a penalty for side, as Ruben Dias blocked his header with an arm, before the 23-year-old got himself on the scoresheet in added-time to seal a 3-1 win for Liverpool.

Klopp was full of praise for the striker and the impact he had off the bench, defending Nunez from some of the comments that have come his way in recent weeks.

“It was good, it was really good. It is clear it will get better with time,” said Klopp.

“We live in a world where everybody gets judged on first sight and that’s not helpful for anybody but it happens constantly.

First official goal at @LFC 🫶🏼

And first trophy 😜 pic.twitter.com/Tkp8U6I0QW

— Darwin Núñez (@Darwinn99) July 30, 2022

One kiss is all it takes 😘 pic.twitter.com/UaQ7QYq185

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 30, 2022

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“In the first few games (of pre-season) we were not even close to the fitness level of today and then when he came on, we passed each ball for him to chase it and after the third ball he was completely killed and then everybody judged his first touches and these kind of things.

“It’s just a joke but we have to live with that, he will deal with it brilliantly. We are patient and we know he can do good stuff.

He added: “The goal was obviously the icing on the cake, so really pleased for him.

“You could see in his face, you could see in the face of all his team-mates how happy the boys are for him and that’s a really good sign after that short period of time that he is with us.”