Darwin Nunez cost Liverpool £64 million in the summer, but he hasn’t yet cemented his spot with Cody Gakpo set to join from PSV for £44.3 million after the Reds outbid Man United.
Despite plans to sign a new striker, Darwin Nunez has been praised as “unstoppable” by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
After a standout World Cup, Dutch forward Cody Gakpo is scheduled to arrive in England to finalize a deal with PSV Eindhoven worth up to £44.3 million. Due to the extended absences that Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are expected to experience, he will improve Liverpool’s attacking options.
In their absence, Liverpool’s Boxing Day 3-1 victory at Aston Villa featured several missed opportunities by Uruguayan summer acquisition Nunez, who cost Benfica £64 million. But Klopp maintains that the 23-year-old forward, who has nine goals in 20 games, is still a serious threat and will succeed.
The Reds’ manager evaluated: “When we keep the ball and pass it at the right time, he is unstoppable because no defender can really catch up to him in terms of speed.
“I am aware of all the stories going around, but we are calm and everything will be fine. The fact that we won 3-1 thanks to his outstanding performance is all that matters.
“I have had some strikers around since yesterday when I last worked. I am aware that the initial score is really not significant. There are numerous other matters that are far more crucial. Simply maintain your composure.”
Darwin Nunez has the full confidence of Jurgen Klopp, who called him “unstoppable.” (Image courtesy of Getty Images, OLI SCARFF/AFP) )
Nunez missed two excellent chances in the first half before missing a clear opportunity to score at Villa Park after the break. However, he earned his second helper of the year when Stefan Bajcetic, a late substitute, scored after Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk had already scored.
When Tyrone Mings was on the line, defensive midfielder Bajcetic took the ball around Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen and shot. He became the youngest Liverpool player to score as a substitute in the Premier League since Michael Owen against Tottenham Hotspur in November 1997 at the age of 18 years and 65 days.
The midfielder has had a breakout season and made his seventh appearance for Klopp’s team on Monday after shining in the team’s World Cup training camp in Dubai.
In February 2021, Bajcetic, who had previously played for Celta Vigo, joined. He said: “I’ve been here the entire season working and trying to learn.
“I played in two games in Dubai and gained experience and confidence by doing so. I’m hoping to get more minutes so I can keep learning and working hard.”
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