Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Darwin Nunez’s confidence was knocked after he saw a red card during the Reds’ second Premier League match of the season.
The Merseyside outfit landed Nunez in a club record £85m deal from Benfica in the previous summer transfer window. He got off to a fine start at the Premier League side, scoring on his debut for Liverpool.
He was on the scoresheet for Liverpool as the Reds cruised to a 3-1 win over Manchester City to secure the FA Community Shield. Nunez also scored a goal for Liverpool on his Premier League debut.
Klopp’s men took on Fulham in their Premier League 22/23 opener, and Nunez scored their first goal of the match as Liverpool shared points after a 2-2 draw.
Red card vs Crystal Palace knocked Darwin Nunez’s confidence, reveals Jurgen Klopp
However, Nunez suffered a huge setback in his next game for Liverpool. The Reds hosted Crystal Palace at Anfield in a game that ended in a 1-1. Nunez saw a red card in the 57th minute of the match after headbutting Joachim Andersen.
Klopp has now admitted the red card he received during the match against Crystal Palace knocked his confidence. “Darwin came here after a short break, flew straight to Asia, didn’t speak English, new team, and the price – and then everyone judges straight away,” Klopp said.
“Started well, scored v City and Fulham, then the red card. He was embarrassed. Confidence was knocked.”
Nunez went without a goal since that red card until Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in October. He restored parity in the 34th minute after Bukayo Saka had given Arsenal the lead in the 1st minute of the match.
He has since scored three more goals for Liverpool, finding his feet again. Nunez has so far featured in 13 games for Liverpool and has scored six goals across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have had a below-par run so far in the Premier League this season. They languish at eighth in the points table with 16 points from 11 matches.
Liverpool have only won four of the 11 matches they have so far played in the league this season. They also shared points in four matches, while succumbing to defeats in three others in the English top flight.
Liverpool are now 12 points short of table-toppers Arsenal, who have 28 points from 11 matches.
