Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has slammed critics who took a brutal dig on the top sensations that arrived in the Premier League this summer – Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland. Liverpool and Manchester City have both acquired Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland as both clubs prepare to challenge for the 2022-2023 Premier League title.
Jurgen Klopp has not hidden his disapproval of those who criticise and question the multi-million pounds signings of the two top contenders for the Premier League title.
Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica in a deal worth £85m, while Erling Haaland joined Manchester City for £51m. Both clubs had a fair share of criticisms as the two signings failed to impress in their debut matches.
Haaland proved a point when he debuted for the Citizens against former arc-rivals in Germany, Bayern Munich.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker volleyed in Jack Grealish’s cross to give Manchester City the only winning goal against Bayern Munich in their preseason friendly.
Notwithstanding, the Norwegian striker committed some blunders in Manchester City’s opening competitive game in England. The Citizens battled Liverpool in the Community Shield. Liverpool won 3-1, but Haaland was criticized for missing a glorious opportunity to score for Manchester City. He blew away the chance, firing wide before an open net. This generated reactions with some football fans dismissing him as one big Manchester City flop.
Darwin Nunez was also in the center of the spotlight when Manchester United clashed with Liverpool in their first preseason friendly. Liverpool were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester United, and Darwin Nunez pulled innumerable blunders on the front line, generating criticisms from football fans. The two top Premier League signings muddled in a barrage of criticisms for dismal performance after joining the clubs on massive deals with jumbo wages.
Premier League has begun. Have the two strikers refuted the critics?
Haaland started for Machester City in their Premier League opener against Wes Ham. The Citizens smashed West Ham 2-0, with both goals coming from the former Dortmund striker.
Erling Haaland made his Premier League debut a memorable one with a brace that separated the visitors from their host. It was a brilliant and convincing way to silence your critics and prove your worth. That was what he did in the first match, and he did it convincingly.
But How did he fare in the second game? Manchester City hosted Bournemouth, and it was an easy cruise for the Pep Guardiola-led team. They thrashed Bournemouth 4-0, but Haaland did not contribute an assist or a goal in the match. He had the least number of touches in the game.
How has Darwin Nunez fared?
Nunez shone for Liverpool after the clash against Manchester United. He single-handedly banged in four goals in 35 minutes against Leipzig in their next friendly. Darwin stole the headlines when he came off the bench to score the third goal for Liverpool as they thumped Premier League rivals Manchester City 3-1 to lift the Community Shield. Liverpool drew their Premier League opener against Fulham as they settled for a 2-2 draw. Darwin Nunez again rose to the occasion as he came off the bench to score and deliver an assist.
Meanwhile, while speaking with Soccer Saturday reporter Bianca Westwood, Liverpool slammed pundits and fans alike for quickly passing judgment on the players in their first outing
“Five weeks ago, when we started pre-season and he had his first game, and it didn’t look great from the outside world. Not for us, but it’s crazy how quick we judge people… wow! He said.
Klopp went on to extol the sterling virtues of his new addition to the squad. According to him, Darwin Nunez has proved critics wrong. He is on top of his game, and everybody can see that; his technical ability, energy, and his uniqueness.
“Everybody can now see, ‘Ah he’s a proper striker’ – so good for us and good for him. He’s a handful and is a different type to what we had. He’s very lively and very energetic. Physically he’s really strong and technically he’s really good,” he continued.
The former Borussia Dortmund coach also went on to defend Erling Haaland from the criticisms against him after his abysmal performance in Manchester City’s loss to Liverpool.
“It’s funny as well, we won against Manchester City the week before the season and everybody was asking, ‘will Haaland score this and that?’ He said.
Jurgen Klopp has affirmed his faith in the two top strikers in the Premier League. Both players have started their Premier League campaign on a good note. Darwin Nunez appears more lethal with the ball than Haaland. But it is yet an unfinished business. Liverpool will host Crystal Palace in their next fixture, and the Uruguayan will be expected to boost his credibility and live up to expectations.
