Jurgen Klopp reportedly vetoed Liverpool’s recruitment team to sign Darwin Nunez instead of a Chelsea star.
On Wednesday night, Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes turned into a nightmare as they fell to a dismal 2-0 defeat against local rivals Everton.
Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were enough to seal a huge victory for the Toffees.
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On the back of the match, Liverpool striker Nunez was heavily criticised after he squandered a huge chance to make it 1-1 in the first half.
After being played through by Mohamed Salah inside the penalty area, the Uruguayan blasted his shot straight at Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford when he had practically the whole goal to aim at.
In the second half, with Liverpool chasing the game, Nunez was nowhere to be seen as he was overwhelmed by the strong Everton defence.
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According to journalist Bence Bocsak, Nunez did not win a single duel against Everton, he and Salah had competed in a combined 7 duels and lost every single one.
When the final whistle sounded, the 24-year-old was slammed by fans for clapping sarcastically at the referee.
Nunez joined the club from Benfica back in the summer of 2022, for a reported fee worth £85 million.
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However, the striker has largely been a disappointment as he is often guilty of missing big chances in front of the goal.
Now, it has been claimed that Liverpool boss Klopp pushed for the signing of Nunez, going against the club’s recruitment team.
As reported by The Times’ Paul Joyce, Nunez was very much a Klopp signing with Liverpool’s recruitment team preferring Christopher Nkunku, who joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig last summer.
Liverpool have the chance to make things right as they return to Premier League action on Saturday against West Ham United.
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Klopp’s men may have to start looking over their shoulders with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur chasing them.
Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Darwin Nunez, Football, Chelsea, Christopher Nkunku
Marcus Chan