Jurgen Klopp has urged patience over high-profile summer signing Darwin Nunez, claiming the Uruguayan is 'still adapting' to life at Liverpool.
Nunez, 23, joined Liverpool from Benfica this summer in a £85m move but has so far found it difficult to settle with an early-season red card and the side's poor general form contributing to his distinct lack of progress.
However, his manager seemed unperturbed by his struggles. Speaking to the press ahead of Liverpool's crucial Champions League group stage tie at home to Rangers, Klopp defended the player amid mounting criticism.
He said: 'Of course he's still adapting. Our players always adapt. New players come in and everybody talks about them and wants them to shine immediately, that happens from time to time and sometimes not.'
Klopp revealed that on Sunday he, his assistant Pep Lijnders and Nunez himself had a conversation in which they told him, amongst other things, that it was important he did not begin to 'worry' about his slow start to life in England.
'Only yesterday, we had a long talk, with Pep Lijnders, because my Spanish or Portuguese is still not better. We just told him: we are completely calm so it's really important in our situation that he's not worrying. He's not looking like he's worrying or whatever.
'[The reason] why he didn't start this game [against Brighton] was he came from international and he had doms in the hamstrings and when you get this information from the medical team, they give some kind of minutes of how long he's allowed to play. Don't start anybody who's only allowed to play 20 minutes or 15.'
Klopp went on to admit that the three game suspension incurred after he head-butted Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen in August did not help him.
'Of course, the three game suspension didn't help him to settle, that's clear,' he said. 'But that's pretty much all. The team is not flying, that [doesn't make it] easier for a striker, especially a finisher.
'We create chances, but it's not as if everything is clicking and we just put one player in and he finishes our situations off. That's not our situation at the moment as much as I wish it would be and that's all.'
Nunez so far has one goal this season for his new club, which came on the first weekend of the season against Fulham.
D-Maestreo
0
You’re just been sentimental here No striker in the world will score for this Liverpool team at the moment… Take or Leave it
If that is what you believe suite yourself my man 😂
Tobisma_LFC
0
Haaland will still score. He did it with Molde. You guys were too delusional to even mention Nunez in the same sentence as Haaland
You’re just been sentimental here No striker in the world will score for this Liverpool team at the moment… Take or Leave it
Tobisma_LFC
0
he did not struggle in Salzburg, Dortmund and now he will struggle in Liverpool!!!????🙄🙄🙄 Be realistic bro, HAALAND is far miles better than NUNEZ.
Ask yourself if nunez struggled at benfica He was the highest goal scorer last season at porto Has Halland form ever been this good in his career, No. His form is on fire because he is playing with a team that plays good and world class football
bizcelmrty
0
If Halland was playing for Liverpool too, he would have been struggling like Nunez
he did not struggle in Salzburg, Dortmund and now he will struggle in Liverpool!!!????🙄🙄🙄 Be realistic bro, HAALAND is far miles better than NUNEZ.
D-Maestreo
0
Tell me which striker in the whole can bang in goals with this struggling Liverpool team. Bring Halland to Liverpool he will struggle just like nunez
Haaland will still score. He did it with Molde. You guys were too delusional to even mention Nunez in the same sentence as Haaland
D-Maestreo
1
You are pleading now huh? 😂 When the irrelevant comparison was made Liverpool thought they were wise 😂
D-Maestreo
0
You are pleading now huh? 😂 When the irrelevant comparison was made Liverpool thought they were wise 😂
niockmnouy
0
what patience are u talking about and how can he adapt without playing him on the pitch always on the beach u're redusing him skills now whats wrong with u huh try to be substituting Salah at Time for Nunez we know Salah his the best but sub him at time please we're tired of sleeping with heart breaks💔💔 all times please also Arthur Melo game time for him nt what u talking about about 🤔🤔🤔
ManCityFanForever
0
funcdkuz
1
Big money on bench is unbelievable. Why Klopp What problem with him?
zebaelmy
1
The real deal went to MC!
Funklmnrtu
1
Klopp himself don't trust the player cause he's not getting enough game time to build up his confidence he's the manager so he should know what to do
bluebloods
0
Nooooo rival fans will treat him like they did to Havertz, Grealish, Lukaku
Docclmn
2
man City have good good midfielders who holds ball for some seconds atlist, unlike liverpool.we are not playing well at d moment.a team that non of it midfielders can boldly go for a free kick.liverpool is in bed time. we bought a RB to support Taa but i don't hear or see him anywhere.if that guy i good and fit Taa can come inside and give passes
yzi
0
Let the boy play and get used to EPL. Even Haaland made mistakes which cost Manchester City the Community Shield Cup.
what's the community shield?
Docclmn
1
yes agreed Liverpool is going nowhere, but this season is not going to be the end of EPL no need being in a hurry in life bcoz nothing lasts for ever both halaand and Nunez will someday soon fad just like every other players who has come and gone.my believe is that one day soon Liverpool will get goals from him.am sure that if halaand is in Liverpool Chelsea or man United he will not be having up to 1O goals now. especially Liverpool.
Zocbdenstu
1
I wanted Nunez to competition with Haaland but it's boring now since one is scoring in every game except Bournemouth game and another one is struggling. Come back boy let's entertain and make it more competitive than last season.
Zuodemnruy
1
he made mistake for not signing with man united [ko]
fisdiknu
1
Let the boy play and get used to EPL. Even Haaland made mistakes which cost Manchester City the Community Shield Cup.
😂😂😂
Tobisma_LFC
1
Someone is banging goals and our nuno is still que?que?que?
Tell me which striker in the whole can bang in goals with this struggling Liverpool team. Bring Halland to Liverpool he will struggle just like nunez
Tobisma_LFC
1
He is nowhere near the level and class of mancity hitman Erling Haaland. he has to graciously accept that he belongs to a lesser class
If Halland was playing for Liverpool too, he would have been struggling like Nunez
obataobie
1
Let the boy play and get used to EPL. Even Haaland made mistakes which cost Manchester City the Community Shield Cup.
Mombcdekop
3
He is nowhere near the level and class of mancity hitman Erling Haaland. he has to graciously accept that he belongs to a lesser class
Jusgradave
1
Beg haaland for forgiveness comparing him with nunez
Jimmyswaggar
0
Liverpool do create chances for him especially Salah and Arnold but he consistently keeps wasting those chances
Zeucdeiky
2
waste of money, haaaaahhhhhaaaaaa
Tabadnoy
0
What has adapting to LIFE in Liverpool got to do with Nunez's legs to play well. Trying to understand the Liverpool squad and style can be an excuse but definitely not adapting to life in Liverpool.
skychilee
1
For the sake of the club and the player himself, we have to let him play more, so that he can be more quickly and easily adopt to EPL, mix well with other teammates and play his part in the squad. We just don’t want to see such valuable, high rated player sitting on the bench almost 90 mins and have only few mins to prove himself. As a fans, I think we are patient enough since the start of the season. Please work faster to catch up or otherwise we would be left far far behind.
Tepdeortz
3
Waste of money... highly overrated. Should have signed midfielders with his price tag.
Redrosey
0
Someone is banging goals and our nuno is still que?que?que?
Teekaay
7
Now he needs patients after being compared to Halaand?
bohbeiorsz
0
This is funny that you bought a player for £65m cash with adds and you are asking for patient, Haaland is 14 goals in 8 game and Nunez is just 2 goals, I'm a Liverpool fan but to be honest with you guy's Liverpool is going nowhere this season
Not even 2. Nunez has only one game
Juniorpope
3
This is funny that you bought a player for £65m cash with adds and you are asking for patient, Haaland is 14 goals in 8 game and Nunez is just 2 goals, I'm a Liverpool fan but to be honest with you guy's Liverpool is going nowhere this season
Faucelmosy
2
klopp put him only 5 minutes he should have played him 30 minutes
Taadikop
0
we bought him for a reason,,,, let him play and if he fails then you call for patience
Unclebj2022
1
Why his friends are scoring his owner coach asking for patients 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Dandewa
2
My message back to Klopp