English Premier League
“I don’t understand”-Darwin sends warning message to Klopp amid poor performing at Liverpool after move from Benfica
“I don’t understand”-Darwin sends warning message to Klopp amid poor performing at Liverpool after move from Benfica
Liverpool star Darwin Nunez has opened up on the language barrier causing him difficulties understanding Jurgen Klopp. But he appreciates the Anfield boss’ efforts since his transfer.
The Reds paid Benfica an initial £64m, plus £21m in potential add-ons, to secure a transfer for Nunez in June. Liverpool also handed the 23-year-old a £140k-a-week contract through to June 2028. Yet he has endured a mixed debut campaign since his arrival on Merseyside.
Nunez has cut an inconsistent profile at the top of Klopp’s frontline this season, contributing to 10 goals and three assists. He has appeared in 25 of Liverpool’s games thus far this season in all competitions. However, the striker also had to sit out three games as a result of a red card in August.
Nunez received a straight red card from referee Paul Tierney against Crystal Palace in his debut Premier League start. Early in the second half, the 16-cap Uruguay forward headbutted Joachim Andersen. After that, he would be absent from the Reds’ 2-1 loss against Manchester United.
Darwin Nunez in action for Liverpool against Chelsea (Getty Images)
Nunez has only provided Liverpool with four goals and an assist in his last 12 Premier League appearances. Also, since the World Cup, he has played in just four Premier League games without contributing to a goal. While he scored on two of his hits against Southampton’s bottom feeders.
Nunez, however, has nearly always been a key component of Klopp’s attacking plans when he has played for Liverpool. The striker from Artigas frequently finds himself in scoring position. But it has turned out to be far more difficult to get the ball across the goal line and into the net.
One of the issues possibly holding Nunez back with Liverpool is the language barrier, which he admits causes problems with Klopp. The Uruguay star and German boss do not speak the same language at present. But Nunez wants to be able to understand everything soon.
My teammates who speak Spanish are always translating because I still don’t understand a lot of things,” Nunez told Sky Sports. “But watch out because I am taking English classes. I hope that in a year and a half, minimum, I will be able to understand everything.
“[Klopp] doesn’t speak Spanish and I don’t speak English, so we don’t understand each other. But ever since I arrived at Liverpool, he has always given me confidence.”
In other news, Liverpool plotting massive summer move for Chelsea’s world class midfielder to solve midfield problems amid serious exit talks