Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he has had a “long talk” with Darwin Nunez to assure his big-money summer signing that he has no concerns over his stalled start to life in England.
Nunez moved to Merseyside from Benfica for £64 million, in a deal that could eventually rise to £85m, after scoring 34 goals in 41 games for the Portuguese club last season.
The 23-year-old appeared to hit the ground running when he followed up his four goals in a 5-0 pre-season friendly win over German side RB Leipzig by notching against Manchester City in the Comminity Shield at Wembley and then again away to Fulham in the Reds' opening Premier League match.
But the Uruguayan was sent off in his next game for headbutting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen and, after serving a three-match ban, he has failed to find the target since and found himself starting on the bench despite Liverpool struggling to find top gear this campaign.
In Saturday's 3-3 draw at home to Brighton, Nunez was brought on with just a minute to go but Klopp insists there is no pressure on the striker.
“He is still adapting,” said the German coach ahead of his team's Champions League match against Glasgow Rangers on Tuesday. “New players come in and everybody talks about them and wants them to shine immediately and that happens from time to time.
“We had a long talk yesterday and we told him we are completely calm. It's really important in our situation that he isn't worrying. The three-game suspension didn't help him to settle, that's clear.
“The team isn't flying and that doesn't make it easier for a striker, especially a finisher. It's not that everything is clicking, that is not out situation at the moment.”
It has been a tough start for Liverpool after the exertions of last season's quadruple bid and they currently sit in ninth place, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand on the Gunners.
Liverpool 3 Brighton 3: player ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7. Without the Brazilian the game would have been out of Liverpool’s reach before the 20-minute mark. His second half save from Welbeck capped a fine performance. Reuters -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 3. The 23-year-old headed the ball back into the danger area before the opening goal instead of clearing and he was even more culpable on Brighton’s second. His defending and distribution improved in the second half but were still sub-par. EPA -
Joel Matip - 6. The 31-year-old was the most competent Liverpool defender. He was rarely allowed to advance with the ball and contribute to attacks, though. AFP -
Virgil van Dijk - 5. The Dutchman made a number of important challenges but should have cleared the ball before Brighton’s third goal. His distribution was poor. EPA -
Kostas Tsimikas - 4. The Greek was unable to produce the sort of crosses expected of Liverpool’s full backs. He was left exposed defensively on occasion and was taken off in the 59th minute for Milner. PA -
Fabinho - 4. The Brazilian was out of sorts. His passing was wayward and Brighton knocked the ball around him. Liverpool thrive when he sets the tempo but he was often a step behind the play. EPA -
Jordan Henderson - 5. The captain waited for the ball before the opening goal instead of being proactive and Liverpool paid the price. On the plus side, he contributed in the moves that led to his team's first two goals. He made way for Elliott in the 59th minute. EPA -
Thiago Alcantara - 6. The 31-year-old took a while to get going but became more prominent in the second half. His quick feet caused the opposition problems until he was replaced by Nunez with a minute to go. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian kept the defence on their toes but was unable to carve out many real chances. His contribution to the first Liverpool goal was crucial and he was denied by a good save from Sanchez. EPA -
Roberto Firmino - 7. The Brazilian was struggling to make an impression in the first half but took his first goal with aplomb. From that point he grew in confidence and showed splendid footwork for his second goal. He should have had a hat-trick but put an uncontested header straight at the goalkeeper before being replaced by Jota with 15 minutes to go. Getty -
Fabio Carvalho - 4. The 20-year-old found it hard to establish a foothold in the game. The action largely bypassed him and he was withdrawn at the break for Diaz. EPA -
SUBS: Luis Diaz (Carvalho 45') - 7. The Colombian had a rapid impact, setting up Firmino’s second goal. The team looked much better for his lively presence. EPA -
James Milner (Tsimikas 59') - 6. The 36-year-old's robust challenges gave the side added physicality. Getty -
Harvey Elliott (Henderson 59') - 5. The 19-year-old provided an injection of energy but he failed to create much danger. EPA -
Diogo Jota (Firmino 75') - 6. The Portuguese buzzed around and ensured that the defence was unable to cruise towards the final whistle. PA -
Darwin Nunez (Thiago 89') - N/R. The Uruguayan had little chance to make an impact. Getty -
BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez - 3. The Spaniard almost presented Liverpool with an early equaliser and looked uncomfortable with the ball at his feet. He made a fine save from Salah but his poor attempt at a punch gifted Liverpool the lead. PA -
Joel Veltman - 6. The Dutchman was composed in possession and was comfortable in the first half. Diaz gave him more problems after the break. Reuters -
Lewis Dunk - 5. The 30-year-old was bamboozled by Firmino, particularly before the second Liverpool goal when the centre back was sent the wrong way. He was much better before half time when the defence was tighter. AFP -
Adam Webster - 6. The 27-year-old made a series of tackles and interceptions and was having a good day until the ball deflected off him into his own goal. There was nothing he could do to avoid putting it into the net. EPA -
Solly March - 7. The 28-year-old’s deft touch allowed Trossard to score the second goal but with a more consistent final ball, he might have assisted Brighton to victory. Great approach work but he needed to be more precise in the danger zone. Getty -
Pervis Estupinan - 6. The Ecuadorian showed some good signs going forward but his decision making and precision of pass let him down. He was sometimes sloppy when tracking back and he made way for Lallana with 14 minutes to go. AFP -
Moises Caicedo - 7. The Ecuadorian was willing to do the dirty work in midfield. He broke up attacks and looked to get forward at every opportunity. EPA -
Alexis Mac Allister - 7. The Argentine’s ability to beat a man opened up space for his teammates. He retained possession and produced plenty of probing passes. Getty -
Pascal Gross - 6. The German started well and caused the defence problems. He drifted out of the game as Liverpool clawed their way back into the contest and was replaced by Mitoma in the 65th minute. AFP -
Leandro Trossard - 9. The Belgian opened the scoring with an excellent finish and added a second with an equally sharp strike. His control and movement were impressive and he completed a fine hat-trick to give his team a deserved point before making way for Lamptey with three minutes left. PA -
Danny Welbeck - 7. The 31-year-old should have doubled Brighton’s advantage from a free header in the first half and he tested Alisson with a fine effort in the second period. His energetic display kept the defenders occupied. AFP -
SUBS: Kaoru Mitoma (Gross 65') - 7. The Japanese caused problems for Alexander-Arnold. A very encouraging display that showed plenty of confidence. AFP -
Adam Lallana (Estupinan 76') - 4. The 34-year-old had very little impact against his former club. He was ponderous and his passing was off beam. EPA -
Tariq Lamptey (Trossard 87') - N/R. The 22-year-old helped shore up the defence as Brighton held on to a point. PA
Klopp's side have leaked goals this season and kept only two clean sheets in all competitions and he admits Liverpool have to go “back to the basics” to try at plug the gaps at the back in a team known for its high-pressing style.
“When you spot a problem and think you have the solution, you expect the solution to be instant and influential, that's never the case in football,” he said.
“We've conceded similar goals now, they have gone through the same gaps. The problem we have is a brave way of defending … When the timing in our defending isn't perfect we're too open. So yes, we have to be more compact.
“Defending is an art and it worked for us really well for a long time. But with it not working, you realise you have to go back to the basics … We can't always start anew. If we can help the boys with ways to defend differently, we have to do that.”
Liverpool started their Champions League campaign with a disastrous 4-1 thumping away to Napoli but followed that up with a battling 2-1 win over Ajax at Anfield.
Next up is Scottish side Rangers, who reached the Europa League final last season where they were beaten by German side Eintracht Frankfurt in a penalty shoot-out.
And Klopp has been impressed with what he has seen from Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side and their city rivals. “Rangers and Celtic are the standout teams in the Scottish league and Rangers' run in Europe last year was exceptional,” he said.
“Celtic are doing really well as well. They are full of talent. It is a good sign for Scottish football. I followed it [Scottish football] closely when Steven Gerrard was there. I think he enjoyed it and it was a big career move.
“I saw the last game against Hearts … We expect a proper fight and that is what we prepare for.”
