Jamie Carragher has admitted that he is baffled as to why Jurgen Klopp isn’t starting Darwin Nunez for Liverpool right now
Liverpool defeated Leeds United 6-1 at Elland Road last night, thanks to an outstanding second-half performance.
Diogo Jota was chosen over Darwin Nunez, and the Portuguese forward did not disappoint. He scored two goals and assisted on the night, ending his long wait for a Premier League goal this season.
Of course, Jota has only recently returned from a lengthy layoff, and it’s clear that he’s still working his way back to match fitness.
Carragher also told Sky Sports that he doesn’t understand why Nunez isn’t starting ahead of Jota right now.
Nunez versus Carragher
Carragher admitted on Monday Night Football that he was critical of Jota’s performance in the first half of Liverpool’s emphatic win over Leeds last night.
“He [Jota] had a really poor first half-hour; if the game had been 0-0 at halftime, Nunez would have come on for him,” he explained. “To be honest, he’s returned after being out for a while with an injury, and I’m not sure why Nunez isn’t playing.”
“It’s just interesting to me that Klopp is playing him ahead of Nunez, I’m not sure why,” Carragher said. “Because Nunez is new, you want him to be more integrated, playing more games, I’m not sure.” But, as I previously stated, he [Jota] has two goals and an assist.”
Nunez missed Liverpool’s match against Fulham last month due to an ankle injury, but he’s only started once since his return.
This season, the Uruguayan has been a real bright spark for the Reds, and despite his lack of composure in front of goal, he’s already a popular figure among the Liverpool fanbase.
Nonetheless, Klopp clearly wants to get Jota back to his best by giving him minutes, and it worked last night. It will only benefit Liverpool if the Portuguese forward regains his goal-scoring confidence.
Nunez impressed again after coming on last night, and the 23-year-old will be desperate to re-enter Klopp’s starting lineup.
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