“Direct, tall and strong”- Virgil van Dijk compares Liverpool transfer target Darwin Nunez to Erling Halaand


“Direct, tall and strong”- Virgil van Dijk compares Liverpool transfer target Darwin Nunez to Erling Halaand

Liverpool target Darwin Nunez has been hailed as the perfect Jurgen Klopp player, following comparisons with Norwegian goal sensation Erling Haaland.

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Benfica forward Darwin Nunez, who scored 34 goals in all competitions this season, has been touted as a possible replacement for not only Sadio Mane but also Divock Origi as part of a revamp of the forward line. With Origi set to join AC Milan on a free transfer and Bayern Munich courting the wantaway Mane, there stands to be at least one new attacking signing this summer.

Transfer expert Alex Cook said, “I received a text message from a trustworthy source on Friday that Liverpool are genuine contenders for Benfica’s Darwin Nunez.”

Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk spoke highly of Darwin Nunez and even compared him to Manchester City’s new arrival Erling Halaand

Nunez has plenty of admirers in the game and even from current Liverpool players who have come up against him. He played against the Reds twice in the Champions League this season, scoring two goals as Benfica were beaten in the quarter-finals.

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When asked the toughest opponent he has played against, Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk told Rio Ferdinand, “I’ve played against Sergio Aguero, who is obviously unbelievable. [Lionel] Messi, arguably the best player in the history of football, in my opinion.

“[Kylian] Mbappe is different quick. It’s a different type of striker we face who is doing well in the name of [Erling] Haaland, also Darwin [Nunez]. He’s a bit similar, very direct and quick, tall and strong. It’s quite difficult to play against those guys.”

Read More: “No words can express how I feel” – Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah reflects back on Champions League final loss to Real Madrid

Former Liverpool player described Darwin Nunez as ‘Perfect Jurgen Klopp-type player’

Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy has been impressed with what he has seen from the 22-year-old Uruguayan and believes he fits the Klopp mould perfectly. Murphy told, “I watched him three times in the space of six weeks. One thing I really liked about him was that he is dynamic.

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“He’s a very Klopp-type player with high energy, both with and without the ball. He doesn’t mind a press and saw him running back a few times. When he hasn’t got the ball, he doesn’t mind running in behind. He’s more of a number nine, he’s not going to play out wide.”

Read More: Liverpool rejects opening bid of £25 million from Bayern Munich for Sadio Mane: Reports