'We're really calm' - Klopp reveals 'long conversation' with Nunez on slow start to life at Liverpool
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has sought to reassure Darwin Nunez, who signed in the summer, that there are no concerns about his contribution or form.
The Uruguay international arrived in June for an initial fee of £64m - which could reach the club record of £85m - but the start of his career at Anfield didn't pan out as expected.
Nunez scored in his first two appearances before being sent off against Crystal Palace in mid-August and on his return from suspension he drew in four appearances, including the last three as a substitute.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp run aground as they have to run fast just to stay still
The spotlight is on the former Benfica striker's performance even more due to Erling Haaland's incredible impact on Premier League rivals Manchester City.
But Klopp and his coaching staff decided to reassure Nunez.
“Only yesterday we had a long conversation – with Pep Lijnders (assistant coach) because my Portuguese is still not better – and we just told him that we were really calm,” said Klopp.< /p>
"It's very important in our situation that he doesn't look worried or anything.
"The team doesn't steal, and that doesn't make it easy for an attacker, especially not a finisher.
"It's not that we're not creating chances, but it's not like everything clicks and we add a player and he ends our situation.
"It's not our current situation as much as I would like it to be. That's all."
Left-back Kostas Tsimikas, currently a substitute for injured Andy Robertson, has also struggled to break into the team.
He made just his third start of the season in Saturday's 3-3 draw against Brighton, but was also affected by the lack of confidence currently plaguing the team.
"I won't make excuses, we have good players and we have to focus 100% on every challenge we face," he said.
"It's a bad moment. It's not a question of tactics or anything else because we're doing exactly the same thing as in previous years, with the same players.
"It is not possible that everyone forgets the manager's tactics and game plan.
"The way we play is the same, like the last years. Obviously last year we had the same structure, the same tactics and we surpassed ourselves in every competition.
"We won both cups and lost the Premier League by one point and went to the Champions League final."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has sought to reassure Darwin Nunez, who signed in the summer, that there are no concerns about his contribution or form.
The Uruguay international arrived in June for an initial fee of £64m - which could reach the club record of £85m - but the start of his career at Anfield didn't pan out as expected.
Nunez scored in his first two appearances before being sent off against Crystal Palace in mid-August and on his return from suspension he drew in four appearances, including the last three as a substitute.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp run aground as they have to run fast just to stay still
The spotlight is on the former Benfica striker's performance even more due to Erling Haaland's incredible impact on Premier League rivals Manchester City.
But Klopp and his coaching staff decided to reassure Nunez.
“Only yesterday we had a long conversation – with Pep Lijnders (assistant coach) because my Portuguese is still not better – and we just told him that we were really calm,” said Klopp.< /p>
"It's very important in our situation that he doesn't look worried or anything.
"The team doesn't steal, and that doesn't make it easy for an attacker, especially not a finisher.
"It's not that we're not creating chances, but it's not like everything clicks and we add a player and he ends our situation.
"It's not our current situation as much as I would like it to be. That's all."
Left-back Kostas Tsimikas, currently a substitute for injured Andy Robertson, has also struggled to break into the team.
He made just his third start of the season in Saturday's 3-3 draw against Brighton, but was also affected by the lack of confidence currently plaguing the team.
"I won't make excuses, we have good players and we have to focus 100% on every challenge we face," he said.
"It's a bad moment. It's not a question of tactics or anything else because we're doing exactly the same thing as in previous years, with the same players.
"It is not possible that everyone forgets the manager's tactics and game plan.
"The way we play is the same, like the last years. Obviously last year we had the same structure, the same tactics and we surpassed ourselves in every competition.
"We won both cups and lost the Premier League by one point and went to the Champions League final."
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