Darwin Nunez Proving He Has the “Ticket” Into Jurgen Klopp’s Team

In pre-season, Jurgen Klopp told Darwin Nunez what the “ticket” into the team was and the striker made the most of his chance to show he has the entry requirements.

“The ticket into the team will be the readiness to defend. I’ve never heard about a team being really successful with sloppy defending. It doesn’t happen,” Klopp said back in July.

“I know all about the quality they have and they need to do both, defend and be influential in all offensive situations,” the manager continued.

Nunez Showing He Can Do the Dirty Work

In Liverpool’s four games to date, Nunez has come off the bench in three and started one – the latter he earned with his match-winning double at Newcastle. And it was against Aston Villa in the final match before the international break that showed Nunez can also do the dirty work and prove a handful in more than just goal-scoring situations.

Per AIUnderPressure, who analyse Liverpool’s pressing success throughout a match, Nunez recored 59.2 presses per 90 (possession adjusted) in the win over Villa.

Finally, a shout out to the big man Darwin Nunez. This would be an outstanding press-map for any #LFC centre forward, for Nunez this is a REVELATION.
59.2 possession adjusted is the 5th highest single match figure in our database! pic.twitter.com/qI6mNIP7Ob

— AIUnderPressure (@AIUnderPressure) September 6, 2023

It shows that he is understanding the timing of Liverpool’s press and when and how it is triggered by the team, rather than acting as a one man crusade.

The 24-year-old showed the required discipline that Klopp has been searching and asking for, especially in the No. 9 role which he has recently turned