Benfica's Darwin Nunez claims he takes Jurgen Klopp's praise as a "compliment" but remains focused on matters with Benfica.
The Uruguayan is enjoying a stellar year and, as a result, is attracting interest from around Europe. His stock will have risen further after he scored at Anfield in his side's 3-3 draw. It wasn't enough to take them through however as they were beaten by the Reds 6-4 on aggregate.
Nunez has now scored 32 times in all competitions and Liverpool are among those linked with the 22-year-old. Before Wednesday's clash Klopp made no secret of his admiration for the Benfica star, who will no doubt be the subject of bids this summer. "Extremely good-looking boy and a decent player as well," said the German.
"Really good, really good, I have to say. I knew him before, of course, but he played pretty much in front of me with these tough battles with Ibou Konate. Physically strong, quick, was calm around his finish when he finished the goal off. Good, really good. Obviously how you say in these situations, if he stays healthy, it’s a big career ahead of him."
Klopp's comments could be seen as an early play to tempt Nunez, but the player is focusing on matters in Lisbon. Having struggled for minutes last term the forward has now become an integral figure for Benfica and he is refusing to comment on his future until the season ends.
"What the Liverpool coach said, as well as our coach, I take it as a compliment, but my mind is on Benfica. Until the season is over, I won't say anything, and I'll leave everything for this shirt," Nunez told TVI. "My job is to continue like this, to take advantage of this luck that is happening to me. Last year I didn't play at all, but this year I'm having an incredible season. I have to continue like this, and there is also a lot of merit from my colleagues."
Who will win the Champions League? Let us know in the comments
Liverpool will now take on Villarreal in the last four of the Champions League as they seek to return to the final for the first time since their 2019 triumph. The Spaniards upset Bayern Munich in the last eight and the Reds will be heavy favourites to make the showpiece event in Paris.
Klopp rang the changes at Anfield and his new-look defence shipped three times, but the German was still more than satisfied with his team's display. "The day when we qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League and I'm not happy, come here and knock me out - it would make no sense," he told BT Sport.
"We made seven changes for good reason and played a really good first half where I liked a lot of things. I was never in doubt about our line-up. We knew it would be hard, the backline have never played together and it was three centre-halves in there, you lose the voice without Virgil van Dijk, but the rotation in other positions was never a problem."
