Klopp’s Liverpool on the Hunt for Another Mané? Cracking the Darwin Núñez Mystery
Despite his rapid prominence as an outstanding central striker for Benfica, Jürgen Klopp has begun to use Darwin Nez on the left flank again in recent weeks.
Last season, a player by the name of Darwin Nunez made headlines throughout Europe. In fact, his performances were so impressive that both Liverpool and Manchester United, England’s two most powerful clubs, wanted to recruit him.
Jürgen Klopp was able to persuade him to choose Anfield over Old Trafford, but his use of the Uruguayan international has been somewhat peculiar since. Nez established himself as a goal-obsessed striker above all else, scoring 26 goals in the Portuguese first division last season.
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He was clinical for Benfica, converting more than 30% of his shots into goals. Liverpool’s interest in him was justified, but Klopp has since preferred to use him on the flanks.
Nez has only been in the Premier League for six months, but based on his minutes for Liverpool, he’s spent a lot of time out wide rather than through the middle.
Cody Gakpo’s recent signing from PSV Eindhoven appears to have highlighted the decision, as the Dutchman has been deployed through the middle since joining the club earlier this month.
Nez did show a propensity to drift to the left side of the pitch for Benfica, but he was still very much a centre striker, which begs the issue of why Klopp is utilizing him in this fashion.
It’s an intriguing question to ponder, albeit much of the answer might be found in the original Merseyside front three of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mané.
During their time together, those three players formed the ideal trio. Due to the stylistic characteristics of each player involved, Liverpool’s assault was harmonious and in sync, with Firmino moving deeper from his center position, allowing Salah and Mané to dart inside from wide areas.
Firmino lacked the pace and goals that the two African attackers supplied, and as a trident, every player complemented one another. It’s unclear what Klopp is thinking about the future of his assault, but there appears to be a part of him that doesn’t want to lose what came before.
Despite his experience as a primary striker, Nez is no Firmino. Instead, he resembles Salah and Mané in that he is quick, obsessed with scoring goals, and poses a significant threat in behind opponents.
The South American prefers to finish things rather than link them together, which could explain why Klopp sees him as a player who can bring penetration from the flanks.
The Reds manager has recently mentioned Gakpo’s defensive ability, which could be one of the reasons for his central role. “His defending in his placement is superb,” he added last week at a press conference. “It’s exactly what we need.”
On the defensive side of the game, Nez is more of a free spirit at the moment, and he doesn’t yet speak the same language as Klopp, who relies on his assistant, Pep Lijnders, to bridge the gap.
Overall, Klopp has a lot on his plate over the next six months, and finding a permanent home for Nez is undoubtedly one among them.
His scoring record, pace, penetrating, and undeveloped defensive style are all probable reasons for his wide role, but whether he will stay on the flanks for the rest of his Reds career is unknown, especially with the currently-out Luis Daz about to return
