da bet nacional： Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp labelled Darwin Nunez as "unlucky" when trying to explain his struggles in front of goal.
da dobrowin： Article continues below
Article continues below
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Liverpool beat Fulham 2-1 in Carabao CupNunez picks up two assistsBut Klopp bemused by forward's lack of goalsWHAT HAPPENED?
Nunez, who came off the bench in the 56th minute, provided the crucial assist for Curtis Jones' equaliser after Willian had put the Cottagers in front in the 19th minute. He also set up Cody Gapko for the eventual winner but once again failed to find the net during the 2-1 win over Fulham at Anfield on Wednesday. Despite Nunez's poor scoring record, Klopp did not throw him under the bus and instead emphasized that he doesn't select players solely on scoring ability but on their overall behaviour and effort.
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Speaking to reporters after the match, Klopp said: "He plays outstanding, I have to say it. There are so many things I love about his game. The first year was a year to adapt and he scored here and there but now he contributes in all games. The boys don’t start because they score or not score. My belief and trust in them, as long as they behave properly, is endless. They deserve it because of the effort they put in.
"I don’t know how to explain the Darwin situation. I’m so happy about Darwin’s reaction and how he takes it but you cannot be more unlucky in these finishing situations, that’s not possible. He does absolutely everything right, yet ball not in. And then he still sets up the other goal. I think that is really special to do that again.”
(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Nunez was put through on a couple of occasions but Bernd Leno denied him the opportunity to score which extended his goal drought. He has got on the scoresheet just once in the last 16 games which highlights his struggles in front of goal. However, he has 10 assists across all competitions, which is the most by a Liverpool player in this campaign.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Despite missing key players like Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Klopp remains confident thatthose available have the potential to churn out results amid adversity.
“We have more players available usually but the boys who came on have real quality, obviously, already,” added Klopp.
His next test is against Bournemouth away from home on Sunday in the Premier League before travelling to Craven Cottage for the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Fulham on January 24.