Klopp: Darwin has taken massive steps early on this season

Jurgen Klopp believes we are now seeing a much more complete version of Darwin Nunez and outlined some of the reasons why as Liverpool claimed their fifth win from six games this season with a 3-1 win against West Ham.

Much like many of his teammates, the Uruguayan endured a frustrating first campaign, never really getting any proper momentum behind him for a number of reasons.

While he was never brought in as a finished product, there was stages when he looked totally lost and towards the end of last season, the manager detailed what Nunez needed to do to become a regular starter.

A new campaign and all indications are that he has taken all that advice on board and returned as a player who is a consistent threat in all facets of his game and producing a end product having scored three goals in the league and another in Europe.

Speaking after the victory (per the Mirror,) Klopp outlined the differences.

“Darwin has made massive steps in the last few weeks. He is a threat. You all saw the goal, that was probably pretty good, right? That was really strong.

“He was always available (as a target), it’s super important for us now that we have a ball player, chip the ball, get it on the chest and play from there, that’s how we scored the third goal at Wolves, super important for us.

“The defensive work he puts in is probably the main difference. He always wanted (to do it) but it was less co-ordinated. Now that looks much better.”

While there are plenty of aspects which are working smoothly in the early stages of this campaign, the one slightly curious aspect is the role that Wataru Endo has played since arriving.

Just like the home game against Aston Villa, the Japanese international made a cameo appearance deep in the second half and has only made one start in the league since his signing.

But Klopp is a master of not rushing new players to make an impact early in their Liverpool careers and explained his thought process on this occasion.

“He needs to get used to the things here. Wataru is a super guy, very calm and very polite and that cost him the first two weeks, maybe. That’s now getting there.

“He is not 30 or whatever and wants to get some people out of the way to get into the team, but he is improving every day. You saw that today, he is there, he will help us a lot, he will play games, he will start games and all these kinds of things.

“It’s all good, he had already three or four games now for us in a very short period. That is what counts, it is not a short-term project. Wataru is a super-important part of the squad and I am really happy to have him.”

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-west-ham-klopp-nunez-31017564?int_source=nba