Sander Westerveld has shared that he knows Liverpool are working on Darwin Nunez ‘tactically’ and the ‘physicality’ side of his game in training, as he told the Football Show on Sky Sports.
The former Liverpool goalkeeper shared that he prefers Nunez coming off the bench for Jurgen Klopp’s side because he can then go ‘full speed’ and fans are then able to see ‘what a quality player he is’.
Prior to his sending off against Crystal Palace, the club’s summer signing was causing all sorts of problems when he was being introduced from the bench.
Given that the 23-year-old is still getting his engine warm, then it’s probably beneficial for all if he continues playing that role, even if he scores, because it’s the best for all.
Diogo Jota started his side’s much-needed 2-1 win over Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with the Portugal international threading the through ball which led to Mo Salah opening the scoring.
It doesn’t probably help Liverpool, nor Nunez’s cause that there aren’t in Premier League action at the weekend, as Westerveld backed the big-money signing to shine.
“To be honest, he is a player, at the beginning of the season, when he came on for the last half an hour, he made a massive difference,” said Westerveld.
“I remember the game against Manchester City. In pre-season, he was a different player when he came on than when he started the game, for example. Crystal Palace also.
“If you have a player like that, I tell everyone before the game that ‘I hope he’s on the bench for the last 30 minutes’. Sometimes you have a player, maybe because he’s new and he has to adapt still. I think, in those 30 minutes, especially at home, he can go full speed and you can see what a quality player he is.
“I know they are working on him tactically and physicality as well. It’s not easy to play for Liverpool with everything around it and the physicality and the high press they play.”
NUNEZ IS STILL PRETTY RAW
There are signs from Nunez that once he smoothes out his game, becomes used to Klopp’s system, more familiar with his teammates, then he can seriously explode on the English stage.
A lot was made of the fee Liverpool put down for the player in the summer, but in this inflated and overpriced market, a fee of £85 million (Sky Sports) is going to be the norm sooner rather than later.
It’s going to be interesting that, if Nunez does indeed start playing on a regular basis, then how does that affect Mo Salah and his game?
The Egyptian flyer is normally used to players around him dragging the opposition out of their places and having the ability to play those one-twos with speed and precision, something which Roberto Firmino does in bucket loads, but Nunez still has a lot to learn in that department.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
