Here is your Liverpool morning digest for Tuesday, March 7.
Jurgen Klopp has just replaced Sadio Mane by accident with 18-goal Liverpool forward
When Liverpool spent an initial £64m to bring in Darwin Nunez from Benfica last summer, it was seen as a step in a new direction for the Reds. Having waved off Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, and with Roberto Firmino no longer a guaranteed starter, Jurgen Klopp had seemingly opted for a traditional number nine as he reinvented his side’s attack.
The Uruguayan would start his Liverpool career down the middle and showed glimpses of his talent in a rollercoaster start to the campaign. While outsiders would take great glee in some of the 23-year-old’s erratic finishing, at the time there was no suggestion that a positional switch would be on the cards.
Yet long-term injuries suffered by Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota in quick-succession in October forced a re-think at Anfield. Klopp would try out a number of different formations as the Reds looked to power through without a natural left-sided forward.
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But embarrassing defeats to struggling Nottingham Forest and Leeds United would prompt a further change as Nunez, having briefly played on the left for Benfica, was turned to in such a role. At the time such a decision was made out of desperation and necessity, with the likes of Curtis Jones and Fabio Carvalho not delivering on the flank and with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino the only other available senior forwards.
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What Steven Gerrard did at Anfield during Liverpool demolition vs Manchester United
Steven Gerrard was spotted basking in Liverpool's superb display against Manchester United as they ran riot over their rivals.
Braces for Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah set the Reds on course to inflicting an unwanted Premier League record on the Red Devils as Roberto Firmino added to the scoreline late on.
Jurgen Klopp's side moved closer to the top four in their pursuit of securing Champions League football next season as their 7-0 win took them to within three points of Tottenham Hotspur - leapfrogging Newcastle United in the process - with a game in hand.
The sensational result capped a perfect weekend for the Reds after their European rivals dropped points after defeats to Wolves and Manchester City respectively.
READ NEXT:
- Jurgen Klopp has just replaced Sadio Mane by accident with 18-goal Liverpool forward
- Virgil van Dijk reveals Liverpool dressing room reaction to Roberto Firmino exit in emotional tribute
- Jamie Carragher claims Gary Neville has 'cried off' Sky show after Liverpool beat Man United
- Chris Sutton calls for 'shameful' Man United player to be banned after Liverpool mauling
- Liverpool blow Man United away as Erik ten Hag fumes in moment TV cameras didn't show