Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira can see why Liverpool shelled out a club-record transfer fee for “complete striker” Darwin Nunez.
Nunez cost Liverpool an initial fee of £64million, that could rise to £85m with add-ons, from Benfica this summer, which would see him eclipse Virgil van Dijk as the most expensive player in the club's history. The 23-year-old forward impressed on his Premier League debut, coming off the bench against Fulham to help Liverpool earn a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.
After replacing Roberto Firmino, he was involved in lots of goalmouth action and ended the match with a goal and an assist. The impact means he is in contention to start for the Reds in their match against Palace at Anfield on Monday evening.
Vieira says he has studied Nunez’s game and has told his players what to expect from Anfield’s latest star striker. "We watch games, watch football, watch it from all around Europe. He was scoring goals at his previous team and he’s well known as a striker. The players know about him,” he said.
"He can run in behind, stretch the opposition team. He’s closing down back fours and centre-backs. He doesn’t give them much time on the ball – he’s a fighter, he’s determined and a hard working centre-forward.
"He’s the profile of a modern centre-forward who defends really well and works hard but at the same time runs in behind and scores goals. When you look at his price tag you’re not surprised. He’s the complete striker."
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Nunez was bought on the strength of his 48 goals in 85 games for Benfica, but also because his style of play fits in nicely with Liverpool’s. The Uruguay international replaced Firmino on the pitch at Craven Cottage and his teammate has set the standards in terms of work-rate at the top end of the team in recent years.
Speaking last month after completing the signing, Klopp listed the attributes Nunez would bring to Liverpool after seeing him up close in the two Champions League quarter-final clashes between the sides last season. "The power and the mix-up with technique, the desire, smart moves, the problems he caused us," he said. "We fell all in love in these two games.
"A very aggressive South American, it’s a good thing! It was really a joy to watch him and so when we realised we had a good chance to sign him, we were all-in and we’re really happy he’s here now."
Nunez is vying for Firmino’s place against Palace on Monday night and that’s not the only headache for Klopp, who has many injuries to deal with. Thiago, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Caoimhin Kelleher are all unavailable for the fixture. However, Naby Keita and Kostas Tsimikas have both returned following injuries.
