Jurgen Klopp claimed Roberto Firmino's experience against Manchester City could prove vital as he explained why he left Darwin Nunez out of the Liverpool starting XI for Saturday's Community Shield clash.
Nunez, 23, joined the Reds from Benfica earlier this summer for a fee which could rise to £85million, making him the club's record signing. The Uruguay international is expected to line up as Liverpool's No. 9 this season after a prolific campaign which saw him plunder 26 goals in 28 league games in Portugal.
Nunez showed off his talent during pre-season by hitting four goals past RB Leipzig, but was left on the bench against City at the King Power Stadium. Klopp insisted his new talismanic forward is in a "really good way" but opted for a player who has a better knowledge of City by picking Firmino at centre-forward.
Asked whether Nunez was left out for tactical or fitness reasons, Klopp told ITV Sport: "Neither. The line-up we've chosen is used to each other and against an opponent like City, it makes 100 per cent sense that everybody knows what to do. I would say Darwin is in a really good way and will come on definitely but for the start we decided for it."
While Nunez was left out of the starting XI by Klopp, City boss Pep Guardiola deployed Erling Haaland up front for the Sky Blues, giving the Norwegian the chance to showcase his talents against Premier League opposition.
"I don't think they will need to change too much because Erling's style is made for City," Klopp added. "He's a real presence in the box. City have many situations in the box, so it's clear he will have a lot of opportunities. I don't see the need for any real change or whatever, he's an addition which will help unfortunately City."
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Liverpool were City's closest competition by some distance in last season's title race and only missed out on domestic glory by one point after an enthralling final day. However, Klopp insists things will be much closer at the top this campaign, citing the improvements made by the Reds' rivals.
That's over, that was last year, two years ago," Klopp said of the title race just gone. " Arsenal, I saw the result but pretty impressive 6-0 or whatever against Sevilla [on Saturday]. I don't think that ever happened to be honest. Chelsea will come or is there already. Tottenham improved a lot. So it will be a tough, tough season. But we are here as well, we don't want to rest on what we've achieved or not achieved in the last years. We are ready for the new challenge and that's all."
