Patrick Vieira heaps praise on "complete" Liverpool player who could make the difference tonight

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has heaped praise on Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez.

Palace travel to Anfield tonight to face the Reds as both teams look to bounce back after disappointing opening weekend results.

While Jurgen Klopp’s side were held to a 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage, Vieira’s Eagles were defeated 2-0 by Arsenal in last Friday’s Premier League curtain raiser. 

New signing Darwin Nunez made an impact off the bench against the Cottagers, scoring a nonchalant near post flick before assisting Mohamed Salah for the Merseysiders late equaliser.

In an interview prior to tonight’s game, Vieira was asked for his verdict on the Uruguayan, who joined Liverpool earlier this summer from Benfica for £85 million.

“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,” the Palace boss told the club’s official website. 

“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.”

Klopp will be desperate for Vieira’s comments on his starlet striker to come to light in tonight’s game, as the Reds look to respond after slipping two points behind likely title rivals Manchester City. 

Despite being just two games into the new season, as shown by last campaign, the margin for error is very small when attempting to become champions when competing with City.

Nunez is expected to start against the South Londoners after his impressive display off the bench last week.

The 23-year-old will be looking to replicate his outstanding campaign that earned him his move to the North West, in which he scored 34 times in 41 appearances for Benfica across all competitions.