Klopp backs ‘long-term project’ Nunez to come good at Liverpool

Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on April 17, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / 

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp remains confident Darwin Nunez will provide “long-term” value for the Reds despite being relegated to the bench in recent weeks.

A failure to reinforce Klopp’s midfield last summer has been criticised as Liverpool instead plunged the vast majority of their transfer budget into a £66 million ($82 million) move for Nunez, that could rise to £88 million with add-ons.

The Uruguayan has scored 15 goals since arriving from Benfica but has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Cody Gakpo in January and the return to fitness of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.

Nunez came off the bench to net as Liverpool smashed Leeds 6-1 on Monday.

But it has often been a far more difficult season for Klopp’s men as they sit eighth in the Premier League, nine points adrift of the top four.

“It’s not helpful to go through a debut season when it’s difficult for the whole team. How can a striker shine when the whole team is struggling?” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Nottingham Forest’s visit to Anfield on Saturday.

“He was injured in some moments, suspended in other moments. That’s not a problem at all. This is a long-term project.

“I understand that he wants to play desperately from the beginning but we have to find a way that really works for us again and then fit in the players we can use with the specific strengths.

“I am completely fine with the situation. I understand that Darwin isn’t always fine. He doesn’t smile in my face when he realises he won’t