Liverpool supporters were as shocked as many Manchester United fans to see that Cody Gakpo had agreed a deal to move to Merseyside but one man who may not be as delighted as his supporters – is Darwin Nunez.
The Uruguayan has impressed many of the Anfield faithful but been on the end of a considerable amount of ridicule from those further afield and many of these observers may assume that the signing of the Dutch international could spell the end of the former Benfica forward’s days in the starting line-up.
Surely aware of the deal that had been agreed with PSV, Jurgen Klopp seemed to send a very deliberate message to his big-money striker in his Boxing Day press conference (as relayed on the club’s official website) and the 55-year-old said: “He’s unstoppable when we keep the ball and pass it in the right moment, there’s no defender who can really catch up speed-wise.
“I know all the stories around and it’s all fine but we are completely calm, everything will be fine. He played an exceptional game and we won 3-1 and that’s all that counts.
“I haven’t been in the business since yesterday and I’ve had some strikers around. I know scoring at the beginning is really not important. There are so many other things that are much more important. You just have to stay calm.”
It does seem that once the 23-year-old adds more calm to his game, he will soon become a real goal threat but it appears that there’s no thought of giving him some time out of the limelight as of yet.
Given the current injury concerns with Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Bobby Firmino though, the German will likely use his summer signing alongside Mo Salah and the new attacker from the Eredivisie for the short-term future.
It’s then up to the players to prove who deserves the starting role for the Reds full-time, as they try to catch up with those at the top of the table.
Liverpool in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Enzo Fernandez ahead of Manchester United
Liverpool are in advanced talks with Benfica to sign Enzo Fernandez ahead of Manchester United, according to reports in Portugal.
Manchester United and Liverpool are competing to sign Enzo Fernandez (Getty)
The midfielder played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar and has attracted interest from several clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
Liverpool have already beaten United to one transfer as Jurgen Klopp’s side agreed a £50 million deal with PSV for Cody Gakpo on Boxing Day.
According to O Jogo, Liverpool have also ‘intensified’ talks with Benfica in the last few days about a deal for Fernandez.
Liverpool have also been in contact with the midfielder’s entourage but O Jogo reports that United are continuing to push for the Argentina international as well.
Fernandez has a €120m (£106m) release clause in his deal with Benfica and reports in Portugal claimed last week that the club have already turned down a €100m (£88.4m) offer.
Enzo Fernandez played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar (Getty)
The 21-year-old arrived in Lisbon on Tuesday following his extended break off the back of Argentina’s World Cup victory.
When asked about his future on Monday, Fernandez said: ‘I don’t know about my future or proposals, that’s what my representative is taking care of.
‘I don’t want to get into the subject. I am focused on Benfica, we have a game on Friday.’
Speaking earlier this month, Benfica president Rui Costa insisted that Fernandez would not be sold unless his release clause is triggered.
‘We have the sole objective of having a winning season, no player will leave – unless it is due to the clause – which at this moment is fundamental for the squad,’ he said.
‘What I can promise our supporters is what I did at the beginning of the year. This is a sporting project, not a financial one. Fortunately, we are not experiencing financial problems and we have no need to sell players.’
SOURCE: caughtoffside.com – metro.co.uk
