Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Alexander-Arnold tips Darwin Nunez to explode into life at Liverpool with exciting ‘connection’ claim

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool, July 2022

Trent Alexander-Arnold has tipped Liverpool new boy Darwin Nunez to score with regularity once his first goal for Jurgen Klopp’s side goes in.

The Reds have made one of the statements of this summer’s transfer window by signing the Uruguay international. He has cost Liverpool an initial £64million, but that figure could rise to a club-record £85million.

As a result, his first taste of action in the red of the Merseyside club has been eagerly anticipated.

Although, it has been something of a deflating start for Nunez in Liverpool‘s pre-season. He missed a golden chance against Manchester United on Tuesday, which has remained the highlight of his week.

Indeed, Liverpool boss Klopp took issue with online criticism of his new signing. The German added that he feels “completely confident” of Nunez’s ability and that everyone should forget the fee his club have paid.

If Nunez is to be an Anfield star, he will likely get a lot of help from right-back and creator-in-chief Alexander Arnold. Speaking after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, the England international also said he is in no doubt that Nunez will find his feet.

“He’s still kind of learning how we play, we’re learning how he plays and soon enough we’ll get that connection,” Alexander-Arnold said.

“I’m sure we’ll be able to supply him with the ball to score goals. You can see he’s itching for that first goal, but I’m sure once it comes it will be like London buses. We’ll back him.

“Obviously out there, playing with him, you know to start that number nine movement that he’s got, the runs that he makes, where he wants the ball.

“It’s just about finding that connection and soon enough it’ll all be good for us.”

Nunez, Alexander-Arnold face key Liverpool challenge

For Nunez, the mission is simply to hit the ground running and be a new goalscoring force for Liverpool.

The Reds have had fantastic strikers in the past, more recently the likes of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres.

But not under Klopp have they had a traditional No. 9 like Nunez.

Klopp’s tenure so far has been built on wide forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The industry of Roberto Firmino has also been vital.

As such, there is onus on Liverpool’s other players to adapt to Nunez, just as he must adapt to them.

Salah has not dropped off and is raring to go again after signing a new contract. However, Mane has left for Bayern Munich and Firmino will not be a regular starter in the final year of his contract.

And that has made Nunez’s start first season at Liverpool all the more important.