Liverpool Captain Virgil van Dijk Applauds Darwin Nunez
Liverpool's star defender, Virgil van Dijk, has showered praise on Darwin Nunez for his exceptional start to the 2023-24 season and his invaluable contributions to the team's success.
Nunez, the Uruguayan forward, who became Liverpool's record signing last summer with an £85 million transfer, faced a challenging debut season as the Reds missed out on the Champions League for the first time in seven years. Despite criticism of his performance, Nunez managed to net 15 goals in all competitions, showcasing glimpses of his potential.
The 24-year-old has now kicked off the 2023-24 campaign in stellar fashion, tallying three goals despite starting only twice. His recent heroics include a late brace to secure a 2-1 victory at Newcastle and a crucial equalising penalty in Liverpool's comeback win over Austrian side LASK in the Europa League.
Following their triumph in Austria, Van Dijk couldn't help but applaud Nunez's impact on the team, emphasising the world-class quality he possesses. The Dutchman stated as livescore.com reported: "Everyone has now seen the potential and the quality he has... Darwin was very important for us against LASK, and long may it continue."
Van Dijk acknowledged the fierce competition among Liverpool's forward line, emphasising the need for players to push each other to excel. He praised the team's collective approach, recognizing that everyone has a role to play, whether they start or not.
Interestingly, before Nunez's crucial penalty, Van Dijk briefly toyed with the idea of taking the spot kick himself, using a bit of psychology to unsettle the opponents. He explained: "You have to make sure you protect at least the penalty spot. It's a bit of a mind game there – maybe they were going to try and get in your head. It was always the plan that Darwin was going to take it, and I'm glad he scored."
Under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool remain unbeaten this season, amassing 13 points from their first five Premier League games. Their impressive form and cohesion set the stage for a highly anticipated clash against West Ham this Sunday at 2 p.m, as they aim to continue their pursuit of success.
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