Liverpool have started the season well, but manager Jurgen Klopp has still been informed that he will have to change his starting XI if the Reds return to the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp has been urged to drop Cody Gakpo in favor of Darwin Nunez if Liverpool return to the Premier League.
Nunez has only started three top-flight matches this season, while Gakpo has started five, but has made a greater contribution to the Reds in front of goal.
The club’s record signing has scored three goals and provided two assists in the Premier League.
He also scored and assisted in the Europa League opener against LASK. Meanwhile, Gakpo has scored just three goals in all competitions and former Liverpool star Danny Murphy is now calling on Klopp to change his attack.
“I really like what I see. “I’ve been calling on him for a while to have a really good run of games because any young striker who’s trying to build his confidence and reputation at a football club needs a good run of games,” Murphy told talkSPORT.
“He’s going to score goals, it must be a nightmare to play against him.
If he plays for you all the time, will he allow you 20 goals? I think he would, I think he would. I think he looks capable. I think he looks fast, good in the air, huge.
“Look, Liverpool have good options in the attacking areas. If you are playing against the best team, I would play him in the middle, Diaz and Salah on the right and left. Not Gakpo. And I love Gakpo.
Jurgen Klopp has been told to include Darwin Nunez in his starting line-up
“I always see it this way: if you are a central defender for Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal, you see the Liverpool team sheet and the plays of Gakpo or Nunez, who worries you more? Nunez.”
Murphy’s comments come after Nunez admitted he was “angry” about being benched. The striker is currently on international duty with Uruguay and spoke about his time as a substitute.
“I always try to give my best in the minutes I play. “When it’s my turn to go on the bench, I get angry in a good way because I always want to test myself,” the Liverpool star told Uruguay’s Sport 890.
“The hug with Klopp after the match shows what a good relationship there is. I’m very happy with my moment. I always prepare as best I can when my turn comes.”
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Nunez hopes to prove his worth to Klopp when Uruguay face Colombia and Brazil in their next World Cup qualifying series. Just a few days after facing the Seleçao, Liverpool returned to the Premier League.
And Klopp’s side produced a delightful first leg in the Merseyside derby against Everton.
Gakpo was injured in the defeat to Tottenham but is expected to return for the visiting Toffees, leaving Klopp to make the decision on who starts up front.
