Klopp and Alexander-Arnold praise 'top player' Nunez for starring role in Community Shield

Uruguayan striker comes off the bench to inspire Liverpool's 3-1 win over Manchester City

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez celebrates the third goal in their 3-1 Community Shield victory against Manchester City at The King Power Stadium on July 30, 2022 in Leicester. Getty

Darwin Nunez heads Liverpool's third goal. Getty

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson lifts the Community Shield after their 3-1 win against Manchester City at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. PA

Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates after putting Liverpool ahead. AFP

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold with teammate Mohamed Salah. Getty

Liverpool's goalkeeper Adrian as fans throw flares after Trent Alexander-Arnold's goal. AP

Trent Alexander-Arnold scores at the King Power Stadium. AP

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, right, is challenged by Manchester City's Nathan Ake. AP

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool controls the ball. Getty

Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Liverpool's Andrew Robertson battle for the ball. PA

Haaland controls the ball. AP

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool battles for possession with Erling Haaland of Manchester City. Getty

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah shakes hands with Manchester City's Erling Haaland before the match . Action Images

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp reacts during the Community Shield. EPA

Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, looks on next to Jurgen Klopp. Getty

Manchester City's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their first goal with Erling Haaland. Reuters

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah prepares to take his penalty. Action Images

Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the second goal from a penalty. Getty

Mohamed Salah scores from the penalty spot. Getty

Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring Liverpool's second goal. AP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold were full of praise for new striker Darwin Nunez after the Uruguayan played a starring role in the 3-1 FA Community Shield victory over Manchester City on Saturday.

In a match billed as a showdown between the two clubs' new expensive strikers, it was Nunez who stole the headlines ahead of City's Erling Haaland.

Nunez, signed for a club record fee from Benfica this summer, came off the bench to inspire Liverpool to victory. Replacing Roberto Firmino in the 59th minute with the score level at 1-1 after Julian Alvarez had cancelled out Trent Alexander-Arnold's first-half opener, Nunez won the penalty Mohamed Salah converted to regain Liverpool's lead before scoring deep in injury time.

"I think Darwin would have been fine even without scoring the third one because the penalty was Millie's (James Milner's) cross and his header," Klopp said.

"You could see in his face, you could see in the face of all his teammates how happy the boys are for him and that’s a really good sign after that short period of time that he is with us.

"Probably one of the highlights of the game, as good as we were, was the impact from the bench. Everybody who came on was immediately in the game - very, very, very helpful."

Alexander-Arnold, 23, joined his manager in praising Nunez and said the 23-year-old forward has settled quickly within the Liverpool squad.

"It has got to be up there," the England full-back said when asked to assess Nunez's impact. "He won the penalty, scored a goal and looked very lively. He's been bought in to score goals and he's proved he can do that today.

FA Community Shield player ratings

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Adrian - 5. The Spaniard made a good save from Haaland but his distribution was sloppy. He should have done much better before City’s equaliser. AP

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. The 23-year-old opened the scoring via a slight deflection by Ake. His distribution and crossing were marginally below his usual standard and he made way for Milner with 16 minutes to go. AFP

Joel Matip - 6. The 30-year-old had his hands full with Haaland but held his own. He seemed to switch off before City’s leveller. AFP

Virgil van Dijk - 7. The Dutchman was composed in the first half but was put under scrutiny in a physical battle with Haaland in the second period. AP

Andrew Robertson - 7. The Scot caused the City defence problems going forward and contributed to the third goal. He let Haaland get goalside but did just enough to disrupt the striker’s effort. PA

Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain ran himself into the ground and sent in dangerous crosses. Elliott replaced him in the 73rd minute but not before he created a chance for Nunez. Getty

Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian worked hard in the midfield and protected the defence. He made sure City did not dominate the centre of the pitch. Getty

Thiago Alcantara - 8. The 31-year-old fought hard for possession and made the most of it when he got the ball. His passing was incisive. He made way for Keita with five minutes to go. PA

Mohamed Salah - 9. The Egyptian was at his sharpest from the start. His pace terrified City and his goal from the penalty spot was a reward for a fine performance. Jones replaced him late in stoppage time. AFP

Roberto Firmino - 6. The Brazilian kept busy closing down opponents but rarely looked dangerous. He made way for Nunez in the 59th minute. Getty

Luis Diaz - 5. The Colombian never got into a rhythm. He found it hard to match effort with quality but he battled on until the final minute, when he was replaced by Carvalho. Getty

SUBS: Darwin Nunez (Firmino 59') - 8. The Uruguayan made an outstanding debut. His physical presence and pace gave the team a new threat. He was the catalyst for the penalty and scored with a header. A great start. AP

Harvey Elliott (Henderson 73') - 7. The 19-year-old's energy and appetite were impressive and he rarely gave away the ball. AP

James Milner (Alexander-Arnold 74') - 7. The 36-year-old was the essence of steadiness at the back and created an opportunity for Nunez. Reuters

Naby Keita (Thiago 85') - N/A. The Guinean saw out the final five minutes as a replacement for Thiago. He drove forward and looked to make the most of his cameo

Fabio Carvalho (Diaz 89') - N/A. The 19-year-old was given his debut when replacing Diaz in the final minute. He was involved in the build-up to Nunez’s goal and showed clear signs of promise. Getty

Curtis Jones (Salah 90'+5) - N/A. The 21-year-old replaced Salah deep in stoppage time but barely had a chance to get into the game. AFP

MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson - 6. The Brazilian was quick off his line and made a good save from Nunez. He could do little about Liverpool’s goals. EPA

Kyle Walker - 7. The 32-year-old had some good moments up and down the line. He was rarely troubled by Diaz. AFP

Ruben Dias - 6. The Portuguese gave away the penalty by hanging his hand out but it was a rare lapse. He was otherwise solid and made a number of important interceptions. EPA

Nathan Ake - 6. The Dutchman had to attempt to play at Alexander-Arnold’s shot and was unfortunate to deflect it into the net. He used his strength to good effect at both ends of the pitch. Getty

Joao Cancelo - 4. The Portuguese gave Salah too much room. When he did get close to the striker, he was bewildered by the Egyptian’s pace and movement. He contributed little going forward. EPA

Kevin De Bruyne - 7. The Belgian went close to scoring in the first half and, while not at his sharpest, always presented a threat. He helped set up the equaliser before making way for Gundogan with 17 minutes left. Reuters

Rodri - 6. The Spaniard did his best to wrest control of the midfield but he needed more support. He was vulnerable to the counter-attack. PA

Bernardo Silva - 6. The Portuguese put in a lot of effort defensively but had less impact going forward. His passing lacked its normal precision. EPA

Riyad Mahrez - 5. The Algerian was nowhere near his best. He missed a chance to equalise and drifted offside too often. Alvarez replaced him in the 58th minute. PA

Erling Haaland - 7. The Norwegian missed a sitter at the end but showed enough to suggest that he is going to play a huge role in City’s season. His power, pace and movement deserved a better return. AP

Jack Grealish - 5. The 26-year-old was eager to get involved but could not make an impression on the game. He was substituted in the 58th minute for Foden. Reuters

SUBS: Julian Alvarez (Mahrez 58') - 7. The Argentinian replaced Mahrez and he scored on his debut. His arrival gave the team much more of a cutting edge. Reuters

Phil Foden (Grealish 58') - 7. The 22-year-old's direct running helped create the equaliser. City look more potent when he is in the team. AFP

Ilkay Gundogan (De Bruyne 73') - 6. The German is easing his way towards match fitness after a disrupted pre-season. AP

"He's a top player, a young player who is willing to learn. He's bonded well with the lads. He came on with a point to prove."

While Nunez received all the plaudits and enjoyed a dream debut, it was a frustrating outing for Haaland. The Norwegian, signed from Borussia Dortmund for an initial €55 million ($56.25m), missed several chances but City manager Pep Guardiola is confident his new striker will soon find his feet.

"He fought a lot and made the movements," Guardiola said. "It’s good for him to see the reality of the new country, new league. He was there. Today he didn't score - another day he will score."

City open their Premier League title defence away to West Ham next Sunday, while Liverpool travel to promoted Fulham on Saturday.