‘I’m afraid’: Klopp says 24-year-old Liverpool player’s potential is actually scaring him

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Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) reacts during the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 27, 2023. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)

Three things seem certain in life at the moment: death, taxes and Darwin Nunez getting a goal contribution.

The Uruguayan has enjoyed such an impressive start to life in the current campaign, inspiring Jurgen Klopp to admit he’s a little bit frightened by his protege’s vast potential.

“He is in a better place now and doing incredibly well but it is only the start. It is a good moment and long may it continue,” the German tactician’s quotes were relayed by BBC Sport. “I’m afraid of the heights he can reach because there is so much there it is crazy.”

At 24 years of age, the sky is indeed the limit for a player who naturally attracted comparisons to Nordic counterpart Erling Haaland following his big-money move to Anfield.

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READ MORE: Paul Merson says maligned Liverpool player finally ‘showing his class this season’

Stop comparing Nunez to Haaland

Thank goodness these comparisons have died down somewhat since the summer of 2022.

The reality remains that the pair, despite their penchant for finding the net, are completely different.

Not to suggest that Haaland’s a one-trick pony, but it’s clear from the eye test that Nunez contributes differently.

Haaland, Nunez, Klopp
Erling Haaland is brilliant, but let’s appreciate him and Darwin Nunez as completely different footballers – (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Klopp put it perfectly when he talked about how well our No.9 now defends the centre.

“The thing is, last year, especially when things did not go particularly well, it was super-important that everything was set up perfectly and we needed a No.9 who defended the centre perfectly in a way Darwin was not able to do then. Now he can,” the former Dortmund boss told reporters (as relayed by liverpoolfc.com).

His defensive work has significantly improved, not to mention his link-up play in and around the box. Just look at his deadly relationship with Mo Salah.

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