Jurgen Klopp 'ignored Liverpool's recruitment team' to sign Darwin Nunez over Chelsea star
Liverpool star Darwin Nunez was reportedly a ‘Jurgen Klopp signing’ and the Reds’ recruitment team instead favoured a move for the now-Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku in 2022. Nunez has split opinion during his time at Anfield and missed several chances in his side’s 2-0 defeat against Everton.
Related articles Liverpool identify 'first Arne Slot signing' as Michael Edwards gets to work Footage leaves Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold with explaining to doOn a frustrating evening, Nunez had a chance to equalise in the first half, only to fire straight at the knee of Jordan Pickford rather than across goal. The Uruguay international missed a similar chance in a 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace earlier this month.
Nunez has scored 11 Premier League goals from an Expected Goals total of 18.8, an underperformance of over seven strikes. That has prompted some criticism at a time when Liverpool have faltered in the final third as they attempt to maintain a title challenge.
Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica in a deal that could still rise to around £86million. Some fans might have expected more of a return at that fee.
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Liverpool's recruitment team reportedly wanted to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig (Image: Getty)According to The Times, it was Klopp who campaigned for the addition of Nunez to his squad. Liverpool ultimately accepted his wish and sealed a big-money transfer in the summer of 2022. Nunez had scored for Benfica in both legs of their Champions League tie in 2021-22 and his performances caught the eye.
However, it is claimed that the recruitment team at Anfield felt that the then-RB Leipzig attacker Nkunku might have been a better option. The versatile Frenchman had just come off the back of a season in which he scored 35 goals and provided 20 assists.
Nkunku went on to enjoy another impressive campaign in 2022-23, scoring 23 goals across all competitions. Chelsea swooped to guarantee a transfer early in that season, with the transfer formally confirmed last summer.
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The Blues have not been able to see Nkunku at his best. An injury suffered in pre-season delayed the 26-year-old’s debut until the winter and several other setbacks mean he has made only seven Premier League appearances.
Meanwhile, Klopp felt that missed opportunities were partly to blame for Liverpool’s defeat against Everton. He said: "We created a lot and didn't score in the first half. And then in the second half, a lot of emotions, we're in a rush, not really clear enough.
"Then you concede the second goal with a routine they do all season. We knew exactly the ball would end up there, we just didn't defend well enough... They had a free-kick after free-kick, that's one part of the story as well."
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Jurgen Klopp 'ignored Liverpool's recruitment team' to sign Darwin Nunez over Chelsea star
Jurgen Klopp 'ignored Liverpool's recruitment team' to sign Darwin Nunez over Chelsea star
Jurgen Klopp 'ignored Liverpool's recruitment team' to sign Darwin Nunez over Chelsea star
Jurgen Klopp 'ignored Liverpool's recruitment team' to sign Darwin Nunez over Chelsea star
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