Jurgen Klopp has left Darwin Nunez from the starting line-up as the face of Liverpool Manchester City in the Community Shield and said he just wanted to put a side that knew each other well.
The Uruguayan striker was by far Liverpool’s biggest signing of the summer and the Reds hope he can score the goals Sadio Manewho has left for Bayern Munich.
The 23-year-old already impressed in pre-season by scoring four goals in a 5-0 win over RB Leipzig in a friendly, but it wasn’t enough to earn a start against the champions in Leicester.
Klopp has dismissed any doubts about form or fitness but simply said he thought a more established, experienced squad would have the best chance of dealing with Pep Guardiola’s immense squad.
When asked by ITV whether it was a tactical, form or fitness decision, Klopp said: “Neither. The formation we have chosen is used to each other and we think against an opponent like City it makes perfect sense if everyone knows 100 per cent what to do.
“I would say Darwin is doing very well and will certainly come today.”
Reds legend Robbie Fowler is very excited about the arrival of a great physical striker at Anfield and thinks it will make up for the disappointing loss of fellow Liverpool hero Mane.
“I was disappointed with Mane’s departure but I don’t think they could have kept him and Mohamed Salah with the wage demands,” Fowler told the BBC.
“I’m very encouraged by the fact that they’ve got Darwin Nunez. I think he is a good player and I think he will score goals.
“The fact that he has played in Champions League games and scored against top teams will make him understand what the Premier League question is all about.”
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