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

"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.