“Made my life quite hard”: Joel Matip gives his verdict on Liverpool’s new boy

Joel Matip is happy to see Darwin Nunez in a Liverpool shirt

Joel Matip is happy that Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez this summer after having a tough time facing the Uruguayan against Benfica. Speaking with the Reds’ official website, the Cameroon international expressed relief at the 23-year-old’s arrival at Anfield.

Matip faced Nunez when Liverpool faced Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Reds eventually advanced to the next round, but the Uruguayan was excellent over both legs.

“He made my life quite hard.”

“So I’m really happy that he’s wearing our shirt.”

Following the talks of Sadio Mane wanting to leave the Merseyside club, Liverpool decided to get Nunez from the Eagles. The 23-year-old becomes one of the most expensive signings for the club, with the fee potentially reaching £85 million

Nunez has a breakout season in the Primeira Liga, scoring 26 goals in 28 appearances. Overall, the striker finished the season with 34 goals in all competitions. On European football’s biggest stage, the Uruguayan scored against Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

Fast, strong and agile, the 23-year-old also has the ability to play out on the left or just behind the centre-forward. Matip is looking forward to seeing Nunez replicate the same form on Merseyside.

“A lot of quality and I’m looking forward to seeing him scoring goals for us. I think it’s a different kind of speciality – physically, speed. And he will score goals, I’m absolutely sure. He will just give us an extra power player to really go for everything.”

Our attack for next season

Currently, Liverpool possesses one of the most robust attacking lines in world football. Even with the departure of Mane, the versatility in our forward line is immense.

Our talisman Mohamed Salah has been one of the best players in the world since pulling on our red shirt. Breaking the Premier League goalscoring record in his debut season, the Egyptian has improved his overall play every passing year.

Roberto Firmino is another forward with bundles of talent. Mainly operating as a false nine, the Brazilian provides the team with a different avenue and style of play. Although he didn’t feature much in the last campaign, the 30-year-old is an integral part of the squad.

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Fans will hope Nunez can break into the team just like Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have done in the past. The Uruguayan is an exceptional talent, but it remains to be seen whether he can fulfil his potential at Liverpool.