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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

'Even this morning' - Darwin Nunez 'desperate' as Liverpool striker expected to be 'more calm' after big change

Darwin Nunez is expected to have a "more calm" season as the issues the striker had to overcome during his debut Liverpool campaign were outlined.

Nunez has experienced an inconsistent time having arrived last summer from Benfica for what could eventually become a club record £85million deal.

The 24-year-old netted 15 goals in 42 appearances but scored only since the beginning of March after losing his regular starting role due to the impact of January signing Cody Gakpo and return to fitness of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.

Nunez, who sat out international duty for Uruguay last month due to the injury that ended his season early for Liverpool, was among the group of players who reconvened at the AXA Training Centre on Saturday ahead of the main group arriving on Tuesday morning.

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And Adrian is confident the forward will benefit from a more relaxed second season at Anfield as his adaptation accelerates.

"He's desperate to start scoring goals again, looking forward to the first friendly and to play and score some goals," said the goalkeeper. "I think he helped (us) a lot last season but I think this second season for him will be more calm. He has the experience of the first (season) now and he had to learn many things as well because he's still very young – but I think he can help us a lot."

The summer departure of James Milner means 36-year-old Adrian - who signed a one-year contract extension earlier this month - is now the oldest player in the Reds squad, and has already assumed senior duties.

"After Millie left, obviously I'm the most experienced player in the dressing room now," he said. "I have that role as well. I try to help the youngsters. We have a big Latin group as well, so I try to help them to settle as quick as possible – like Darwin learning English and Luis improving as well.

"We are like a family. We have to help each other to adapt as quick as possible, to play and to perform as well as possible. I'm one of the team players that tries to help and is ready for any opportunity."

Adrian has spent a decade playing in the Premier League after arriving from his Spanish homeland, an experience which has allowed him to help the likes of Nunez and Diaz to adapt to a new country and league.

"It's not that easy," he said, speaking to LFC TV. "I suffered myself with my first season at West Ham in 2013. Obviously you want to perform at your top level as quickly as possible but sometimes the new language you have to learn it so quick, learn the basic vocabulary.

"They are doing well, to be honest. They are trying. I think this season they will improve a lot as they start listening more. Even this morning I was talking with Darwin and he was asking me for some stuff. At the end of the day, a big part of being involved in the team you have to speak the basics.

"Then there's the weather, it's not Portugal, there's a different culture, you have to adapt to the winter as well. There are a few things to settle and make a balance. But they've already shown they are great players and hopefully we have them in their best level again this season."

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