JURGEN KLOPP snubbed Liverpool’s scouting gurus’ choice of forward in order to sign Darwin Nunez, according to reports.
The Reds forked out a club-record £85million to sign Nunez from Benfica in June 2022.
The Uruguayan has gone on to score 33 goals in 92 appearances for Klopp’s men thus far, also laying on 17 assists.
Following last night’s 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, the Liverpool boss was spotted shushing Nunez, after he was seen making a “petulant” gesture towards the referee.
Klopp, 56, has vouched for Nunez – having played a big role in bringing him to Anfield.
According to The Times, Nunez was “very much a Klopp signing”.
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They add that the Reds’ recruitment team had favoured a move for Christopher Nkunku, who still played for RB Leipzig at this point.
Nkunku, 26, would go on to sign for Chelsea last summer in a £52million swoop.
The Frenchman did not feature for the Blues until December due to a knee injury, and has been limited to just seven Premier League appearances this term after being struck down by a hamstring issue in February.
He did manage to score two goals for Mauricio Pochettino‘s men while fit, including one at Anfield in a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool on January 31.
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Nunez, meanwhile, has largely been available this term – but has provided some frustrating moments.
Even last night he had pundit Jamie Carragher tearing his hair out when he fluffed a chance just before half-time.
Discussing Nunez, Carra said on Sky Sports: “The chance that Nunez misses before half-time, that is unforgivable at this level.
“That is not acceptable at this level, certainly when Liverpool are going for the title.
“I think there is a question to ask. You want him to do well because there is so much that you like because he gives everything, he runs and causes trouble and gets the odd goal and gets an assist.
“But after two years, when Liverpool this season are going to the title and those big games, you need your man to score away at Old Trafford, away at Goodison, in the European game at Atalanta.
“There is no time to waste, this is not October or November. This is the business end.”
Klopp, meanwhile admitted that his side need to be more clinical while speaking to talkSPORT.
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He said: “I really think we should just try to win football games by playing better, more convincing, using our chances.
“That’s obviously the problem now over the last few weeks, I think that’s obvious. We create, we don’t use them often enough.”
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Etienne Fermie
