Klopp vetoed Darwin Nunez transfer, but are we wrong to criticise?

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is yet to prove his credentials by donning the Reds badge following his mega-money move to Anfield Stadium. The Merseyside supporters were buzzing about landing a possible striker who is going to bang consistent goals at Anfield Stadium, a shift from the false nine years of Roberto Firmino, and the Kop couldn’t wait to sing his name loud and proud from the stands.

However, that has not been the case just yet; he has struggled to adapt to the physical and frisky ways of the English top tier, and his struggles have amounted to frustrations among the cubicles at Kirkby.

His inconsistent displays have forced him into a bits-and-parts role under new head coach Arne Slot, who has preferred Diogo Jota over the Uruguayan striker owing to his mobility and poaching approach while being a consistent clinical presence upfront.

Jurgen Klopp barely got anything wrong at Liverpool in his stint in charge of the Reds; however, many would argue Darwin Nunez was among a few of those hefty mistakes that cost the Reds dearly.

Klopp vetoed Nunez signing

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reveals that Darwin Nunez is ready for the UEL clash against Toulouse. — Klopp’s gambled on Darwin Nunez

Darwin had a strong game when Liverpool faced Benfica in the Champions League, and that had a lasting impact on the manager when he was pursuing a move for a new number nine. Graham, who was a helping hand to Edwards, confirmed how the German coach was hugely impacted by Nunez’ performances against the Merseyside Reds. Speaking to The Athletic in 2024, he said:

“Nunez played brilliantly against Liverpool, and that has an effect on people. It didn’t do him any harm in becoming a Liverpool player.”

Graham also went on to express his doubt about signing Nunez; however, Klopp vetoed his opinion about landing the striker from Benfica.

“The difficulty with Nunez was that he was a very different type of player to Firmino. My questions were, ‘Are we going to change our style or formation for him?’ Is he a good enough player that it might be worth making those changes?’. It was something we had resisted for many years.

“We went through the same data process for Nunez as with other players. I wanted to make sure that everyone knew what a big change it would be with Nunez. It was more, ‘Are we sure we’re going to make the best use of him?’.”

While there were admissions about the ability that the player possesses, major doubts were raised about his fit into the system deployed by Klopp at Liverpool.

Reds identified Nkunku but opted for Nunez

Not a like for like… but had much more potential

The Reds had identified Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku as a replacement for outgoing Roberto Firmino, with the Frenchman slotting in seamlessly into the Brazilian’s role at Anfield Stadium; however, Jurgen opted to bring in a more explosive signing in Nunez.

The Times’ journalist Paul Joyce confirms:

“Nunez was very much a Klopp signing (Liverpool’s recruitment thinktank preferred Christopher Nkunku, then of RB Leipzig, who has spent this season injured at Chelsea), and the manager spoke about how it is his responsibility to provide the player with the confidence to perform.”

Are we wrong to criticise Klopp?

Jurgen Klopp might end up helping Liverpool save millions this summer — Jurgen Klopp might been onto something with Nunez transfer

After having spent a hefty £85 million to attain his services, complemented by the £140,000-per-week wages, it is easy to brand Nunez as a flop signing at Liverpool. But it is not as easy as it sounds.

Darwin Nunez is a player who enjoys chaos, and Jurgen Klopp’s ability to create chaos would have prompted him to consider bringing in the Uruguayan. Klopp would have imagined that a chaotic striker in the current system would not only lead to more goals and more chances but also bring a sense of unpredictability to their attack. On paper, this is a fair chain of thought. And Klopp’s decision to veto the chiefs at AXA training centre is not wrong; they rely on data and tests, but do they consider what the finished version of the team would look like?

We have seen glimpses of Nunez and what he may have brought if he was a bit more consistent like he used to be in the Portuguese league. But no data can bring through the impact of moving and the impact of playing in the new league. If it had worked out, the Reds would have had an answer to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland; they would have the most chaotic system in the English top tier, one that is not only difficult to contain but also equally difficult to predict and follow.

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Klopp’s thought process was right, and it is easy to criticise it retrospectively, but it would have made Liverpool a side tough to contend with, better than what it had been under his tutelage. Isn’t a risk worth so much enough to take?