Diogo Jota has insisted that Liverpool are now starting to see the best of Darwin Nunez following his turbulent start to life at Anfield.
Nunez became the Reds' club-record signing in a deal that could eventually eclipse £85million in the summer following Sadio Mane's departure. Understandably, hopes were high for the Uruguayan, who plundered 34 goals in 41 games for Benfica last year.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a dream debut after netting in the Community Shield triumph over Manchester City, and he followed that up with a goal and an assist against Fulham on his Premier League debut. But Nunez's progress has stalled significantly since then.
The Reds striker was sent off on his first league start against Crystal Palace, forcing him to sit out the club's next three matches. And after being reintegrated back into the team, Nunez has laboured in front of goal and failed to find the net until last weekend's 3-2 defeat to Arsenal.
But Jota believes Nunez deserves credit for the character he has shown to recover from such a significant setback early on in his Anfield career - and is adamant that his strike partner is now ready to silence some of his critics.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash with Rangers on Wednesday night, Jota said: "Well, I think like in life sometimes you get over things. Obviously he started really well and people were starting to think his adaptation was never a problem but maybe it required a few more games to get used to that level that he showed us and he showed everyone last year.
"And with this run of games he is having, he has already scored and I think he is finding himself in a better position and people in the squad are understanding his game better. So it’s good for everyone and tomorrow will be more proof of that, I hope."
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Nunez's performance against Arsenal was probably the biggest plus for Liverpool, with Klopp admitting after the defeat that the Reds - who are now 14 points behind the league leaders - are already out of the title race.
And Gary Neville, who was analysing the match for Sky Sports, singled Nunez out for praise after the game, telling The Gary Neville Podcast: "I thought he was really good, even in the difficult parts of the game for Liverpool, he was their best player, his runs were good.
"Liverpool needed a centre forward. [Sadio] Mane leaving, [Roberto] Firmino... I think people who watch him far more than I do say he was dropping off a little bit, so they had to revitalise that front three.
"They needed a centre forward. When they signed Nunez, there was this comparison between [Erling] Haaland and Nunez. I remember the headlines around that time [after the Community Shield], we all should and look at us now three months later, but that was a debate."
