Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explains what Darwin Nunez needs to improve: “He has to learn”

Jurgen Klopp insists Darwin Nunez is a “long-term project” for Liverpool, but there is a strong desire to see the forward begin to master the English language.

Nunez has started in just one of his last four games, with the manager favoring a combination of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota.

He has been greeted with some amazement by fans, as the number 27 offers speed and unpredictability, a combination that has lit a spark in times of need.

But the manager was quick to explain that Nunez is still adjusting to the squad and a new language when asked about the Uruguayan ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Nottingham Forest.

“Darwin is a player with different abilities than all our other players, that’s fine,” Klopp continued. “He’s a real punch, he’s a machine and he’s going to score a lot – well, he’s scored so many goals already, so it’s all good.

“But obviously he’s still adjusting. His English is still not great, if at all. We are working on it en masse.

“He doesn’t help the whole team get through a difficult debut season. How can a striker shine when the team is in trouble? “It’s not possible, but he had great moments for us. Got injured at times and banned at others, that’s not helpful but not a problem at all.

The manager has intentionally fielded Nunez on the left side of a front three and Nunez currently has a return of 15 goals and four assists, but it’s obvious Klopp wants more from the 23-year-old.

“It’s a long-term project,” said the manager. “I understand that he has a desire to play from the start, but we have to find a path that works for us again.

“I’m completely fine with the situation, but I understand that Darwin doesn’t always agree. “It’s not like he smiled at me when he realized he wouldn’t start, it wasn’t like ‘thank you boss’.

“It’s okay, that’s how you have to handle the situation. When you have five or six players up front, I have to make decisions.

“The door is wide open, but the more sessions we have, the more you need to show up.”

In terms of a central role in Liverpool’s system, Klopp insisted Nunez could play that role, but the overall squad composition must be right, suggesting a desire to see more counter-pressure from the starts from No. 27.

“He’s a centre-forward who plays on the left. He needs a specific setup that can play in center and defend” Klopp continued.
“Playing in center isn’t a problem, he’s a machine… He can play both positions, 100%, and he’s done it very well for us.

“He has to learn English, that’s it. We can translate everything, but we can’t have four languages ​​translated during training.”

Also.. 

Liverpool vs Forest lineup – Thiago in starting XI as Jurgen Klopp face 2 big decisions 

Liverpool host Nottingham Forest this weekend hoping to repeat the form that led to an emphatic 6-1 victory at Elland Road.

On the trip to Leeds, Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged squad from the squad that drew 2-2 at home to Arsenal eight days earlier, along with Thiago and Luis Diaz following second-half injuries.

Liverpool will be hoping for a better performance than in their previous game against the visitors on Saturday, when a 55th-minute goal from ex-Red Taiwo Awoniyi was enough to give Forest all three points in October.

The manager has experimented with Liverpool’s form in recent games, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s position becoming a key talking point and Klopp providing an element of flexibility from his side. This is how Liverpool could line up.

Team News

Manager Klopp delivered some ‘unfortunate’ injury news during his press conference:

Roberto Firmino has suffered a muscle injury and the next three games are ‘impossible’ for the Brazilian.l

Liverpool XI v Nottingham Forest

Thiago came off the bench after recovering from a hip flexor injury against Arsenal and Leeds and could be in contention for a Premier League start since early February.

That may mean ousting Curtis Jones in the middle of the park, who has had three consecutive starts during an injury-plagued campaign.

Here’s what it could look like this weekend:

Thiago replaces Jones in midfield

Diogo Jota loses place to Darwin Nunez despite Leeds support

The defender and goalkeeper remain unchanged since Monday night

Here’s how Liverpool would line up:

Alison; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

Firmino’s injury means we’re less likely to see the 4-2-3-1 that Klopp has used at various times this season. Jota ended a 372-day wait for a Liverpool goal with a brace against Leeds and the manager could be looking to continue that momentum against Forest.

A fixture in the squad until recent weeks, Elliot has managed to make his comeback, with the manager noting the 20-year-old has been training “exceptionally” in the interim.

There are many options, meaning an alternate starting elf might look like this:

Jota holds on for Leeds meaning Nunez misses

Elliott returns to the side in place of Jones

Fabinho stays out to avoid a possible suspension

Andy Robertson has rested after a busy spell for club and country

Here’s what it would look like:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dik, Tsimikas; Henderson, Elliott, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Gakpo

There is no shortage of options for the coach as he looks to secure consecutive wins for the Reds.

The prospect of Champions League football looks out of reach for Liverpool next season, but there are still European places and momentum to play over the next eight games.

Another win would be nice, Liverpool!